Eric Boles is a 31 year old from a small town north of Boston Massachusetts. He joined the Pankration team in 1998 and five years later became the second student to become a Certified American Pankration Instructor. He now has a bachelors degree from Arizona State University in industrial design and works full time as a product designer back in Massachusetts. Since leaving Arizona, Eric has trained for several years in Vale Tudo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai. He now teaches pankration at International Martial Arts in Georgetown, MA. Over the years, Eric has won medals in many submission tournaments, including a gold medal in the Arizona State Submission Championships, two gold medals in the Brazilian Martial Art Center Invitational, and a bronze medal in the 2006 NAGA World Championships in New Jersey. He is undefeated in his NHB fights with a record of 4-0.

Eric earned his nickname "Helmet" because he is required to wear one when he fights due to a pole-vaulting accident in 1997. Following the near death experience, his head has been reconstructed with titanium mesh and plastic. After initial criticism at competition, the "Helmet" has become well known as a force to be reckoned with.