There are things I always do for my friends. Corey Finn's list also includes catching some jabs and maybe an uppercut.
The Plymouth native and Boston Fire Department employee will be attending the 13th Annual Haymakers for Hope Rock 'n' Rumble XIII Charity Event for Cancer Research at MGM on Thursday, May 9th. This will be my first time stepping into a boxing ring. Fenway Music Hall.
“Last year I had a great time sitting in the bleachers for this game and watching the game. It's an exciting night all around,” said Finn.
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Finn doesn't just get into the ring with an adrenaline rush. He is walking between the ropes to honor his friend Danny Lanahan and his brave battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
“Danny and I graduated fire academy together,” Finn explained in the event's fighter profile. “His family and my family have a long history of being firefighters. His friends and family were shocked to hear the news. It's been three years, almost four years, but… , he's still fighting. But no matter what, firefighters never give up. We never quit.
“In August 2021, the Lanahan family founded and established the Boston Fire Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports BFD firefighters who have been diagnosed with occupational cancer. There are several active duty members currently receiving support from this foundation.
Finn is off to a great start in fundraising for the fight, having already raised more than $18,000 with still time until the fight, surpassing his original goal of $10,000. “People have been very generous,” Finn said. “They know I’m fighting for Danny and the Boston Fire Cancer Foundation, and they want to help.”
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All Haymakers for Hope matches involve amateur boxers fighting for the first time. Finn's opponent is Chika Jordan Eur. Finn, 37, is 10 years older, weighs about the same, and Eur is three inches taller.
Finn has some athleticism and stamina that he can lean into when he gets in the ring. His class of 2005 Plymouth North graduate played football and hockey in high school. He has competed in the Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon, as well as the Panmas Challenge twice.
“I've always been an active person and try to do whatever I can to help people,” Finn said. “When I found out that the Foundation was looking for competitors for this year, I decided to give this a try in December. I told people I would be competing at the beginning of January and started training from that point on. started.”
That training includes working 24 hours a day at the fire station, then going to Undisputed Sports Training in Hannover four or five days each week to work with coaches Stephen Murphy and Eric Gardner. It is.
“The winter passed quickly because of the training. My eyes were black, my body was sore, and my jaw was sore at times, but the training was going well. The coaches were great,” said Finn. Told. “I'm in good shape, but boxing is a different type of cardio. It's not easy, but I've disciplined myself and participated in training every day.”
Finn had only one prediction for how the battle would go.
“Win or lose, at the end of the match I'll be in the middle of the ring with a smile on my face because I did something to help a dear friend.”
To donate to Finn, go to https://haymakersforhope.org/, select the Rock 'N Rumble XIII event, and select Finn's fighter profile.
Email the reporter at dwolcott@wickedlocal.com. You can also follow @DavidWolcott1 on Twitter.