Former heavyweight boxer Gerry Cooney founded the organization in 1998 after talking with boxers whose lives had fallen apart after leaving the sport without money or resources. Cooney felt that an organization was needed to address the problems of current and former fighters who did not have any viable means of support or job skills. Despite being the oldest major professional sport in the United States, boxing remains the only sport without a players association and most importantly, no employee pension plan. Therefore, fighters miss out on all the common elements of other major spectator sports like college scholarships, pension plans, health benefits, workman s compensation and substance abuse benefits. F.I.S.T. provides access to those resources so that former fighters can receive training and emotional support after their boxing careers have ended.
Boxers can receive medical and neurological exams, as well as help with food and housing needs.
F.I.S.T. participants receive referrals to appropriate government-subsidized or charitable programs, psychological counseling, substance abuse treatment and ongoing mentoring. F.I.S.T.'s network of supporters has already connected participants with more than 250 well-paying apprenticeship programs in a variety of fields. F.I.S.T. participants are current and retired fighters, amateurs, sparring partners and professional boxers. They generally come to the program with little education or job experience. Most boxers neglect to plan ahead, which is why many stay in the ring past their prime and become badly hurt.