Meet Scott ‘Lights-Out’ Selland, the instinctual fighter!

Fight To End Cancer #FTEC2023 Fighter, Scott Selland [Photo Credit: Rebecca Freeman]

Three years ago, before the pandemic eliminated public gatherings, Scott Selland trained for the 2020 Fight to End Cancer, spending months preparing for a match that ultimately, wasn’t destined to happen.

It’s a new year and the FTEC event is back. So is Scott, now 38 years old, one of six returning members from the 2020 team. Once again, he’s focused on the conditioning that, as a husband and father of two girls, often begins early in the morning before his job selling real estate takes him across the city.

It was always his plan to return, as a fighter and fundraiser, supporting FTEC’s commitment to the Princess Margaret Hospital.

“I can’t think of anyone that hasn’t been personally affected by cancer, whether it’s a friend, family or coworker. To me, it’s a curable thing. With enough resources and time, we will figure it out. To my mind, if we are that close for prostate cancer, there have got to be more breakthroughs around the corner.”

Photo: Scott and his wife, Lindsay

Scott and his wife each lost an aunt to cancer in recent years. A decade ago, his father-in-law was diagnosed with prostate cancer and instead of choosing surgery that was considered risky and invasive, Scott says the family researched new options, enrolling him in a treatment that used the da Vinci robotic system.

While he says there is now some controversy over that treatment, his father-in-law remains cancer-free.

“None of which would have been possible without research and innovation into new cancer fighting techniques!”

It is the life-saving possibilities created by research and innovations that propel Scott into the ring and, into the world of fundraising. Each FTEC fighter is considered an ambassador for the charity, with a commitment to personally raise money for the hospital.

“I would like to be part of something that is larger than myself, for a good cause.”

~ Scott Selland, FTEC2023 Fighter

Scott Training For Fight To End Cancer 2023. [Photo credit: Virgil Barrow]

Scott’s introduction to boxing began five years ago when he arrived at Kingsway Boxing Club, seeking a sport that fit his lifestyle as a real estate agent with a sporadic schedule that kept him busy on nights and weekends. He didn’t feel it was right to commit to a team sport with a locked-in schedule and let people down if he had to work, so the fluidity of the boxing sessions made sense.

“I heard through difference sources what a mean workout it was,” he says. “Boxing is probably one the most physically demanding individual sports I think you can participate in, short of the absolute extremes”

He also liked the vibe of the Jutland Rd. gym. Instead of a posh, corporate facility it was a gym with a bit of grit, where people were friendly but serious about training. “It had the right energy to it.”

Now that the 2023 FTEC training is in full swing, Scott is in the gym four to five times a week, with a few early morning sessions, along with team training on Saturdays and evenings.

Boxing is an instinctual, intellectual, and physical sport. The brain synapses must work a touch faster than the fists and some liken it to a game of chess, using the ‘boxer’s IQ,’ as described by fight commentator Teddy Atlas, to outwit the opponent.

Scott tells his teammates that the intense workouts, part of the FTEC fighters’ commitment, will put them in the best condition of their lives.

“It’s funny, because I remember this from the first time and with the new people that have come on board, I’m like, ‘I don’t think you fully understand how hard this is. It’s a good idea but a lot of work. It’s making that time away from work and family to dedicate to it. I tip my hat to the support of my wife and kids, that they are cool with me doing it because it is a pretty significant time commitment away from other things in life but, I enjoy a good challenge and I have no doubt that this will be one. If I’m going to take a punch in the face to help raise some money for it, so be it.”

For Scott, the goal of the event — the fight to end cancer — makes it all worthwhile.

The FTEC2023 Fight Team  stands united to Fight The Fight That Affects Us All! With the goal of reaching $3 million in 2023, 100% of all KO Cancer Bootcamp proceeds go to research at The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

DEFEAT IS NOT AN OPTION!

Public Relations Team, Fight To End Cancer
info@fighttoendcancer.com

Donations to our Fight Team can be made at: fighttoendcancer.com.
Photos available upon request.

Interview Opportunities:
Interview Opportunities are available in studio, on site, and via phone or email with:

• Jennifer Huggins (Executive Director and Founder, Fight To End Cancer)
• Virgil Barrow (Fight Team Head Coach, Kingsway Boxing Club)
• FTEC 2023 Fight Team members (contacts available upon request)
• Presenting Partners:
  • Landscape Plus Ltd. (Since 2015)
  • Grafton Apparel Ltd. (Since 2014)

About The Fight To End Cancer

The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC) is a year-round initiative carried out by ambassadors, sponsors and volunteers worldwide.  Over $2,000,000 has been donated to date, since our inaugural year, in 2012.  Funds raised by FTEC are donated directly to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.  Each year we celebrate the incredible hard work and dedication of our FTEC family with a black-tie charity boxing gala.  This gala showcases ten men and women who represent our Official Fight Team.  Our goal is to raise funds for cancer research year-round with the support of the local community and business owners.  Let’s make a difference now in the fight to end cancer, for a long and successful future for everyone.  This is an event like no other and has quickly become one of the most anticipated events in Toronto. www.fighttoendcancer.com