Shoring Up The Fighters On The Undercard with Matt Farrago

In this episode Matt talks to Suffolk Sports Hall of Famer, Matt Farrago. Known as the Beta Bomber, after his college fraternity Beta Phi Epsilon, Farrago finished his career with 25 wins—11 by knockout—2 defeats and one draw against the formidable Bobby Joe Young. Yes, Farrago is a college graduate, who planned on going to medical school until he stepped into the ring, and just kept winning. 

The first challenge he faced was winning over his parents. Because he turned pro while he was a student with a dual major at Cortland State University, after 11 consecutive wins Madison Square Garden and ESPN were calling. Farrago says although his whole family is in medicine, he decided to take a chance on boxing to see how far he could go. He knew he was tough, but boxing was in his heart, and as long as he had heart, he knew he could make it. 

Like all professional fighters, Farrago has faced challenges with injuries and overcoming the “shady” side of the boxing business. “Boxing is honorable in the ring, but outside the ring, it’s a different world.” Not one that most people see.  

Once he felt ready to move on, Farrago relied on his college diploma first becoming a schoolteacher and then landing in his sweet spot, medical device sales. A natural born salesman, Farrago was in the industry for 18 years working in operating rooms in hospitals throughout Long Island and the surrounding New York City boroughs. In 2010 he went back to his first love, this time with the goal of helping veteran fighters once they retire from boxing, a professional sport without a union. 

Fueled by his frustration that the sport doesn’t take care of its own, Farrago founded Ring 10, a non-profit that helps former fighters, most of whom make little money in their professional careers with no retirement plan or insurance. Ring 10 devotes 100% of all profits to helping fighters get back on their feet. To learn more, donate or find out about charity events visit www.Ring10.org.  

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In each episode of Life’s Tough – Boxers Are TOUGHER!  host Matthew Pomara, licensed amateur boxer, and boxing writer and contributor to “The Ring” magazine and “NYCFights.com,” talks to men and women in the boxing industry whose hard-won victories and personal triumph and perseverance inspire listeners to fight on.  Because life isn’t about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.   

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