Melanie Costa, better known as “The Pit Bull” to her fighting peers. She is a 30-year old, and resident of Norton, Massachusetts, USA.  In the ring, Costa is a determined fighter and strong competitor.  In her personal life, she is known to be friendly, well-liked by peers, by friends and family, yet known for discipline. Costa takes pride in applying both her strong work ethic and a positive attitude to all aspects of my life.

Costa told WBAN her background of boxing and more:

Where, when I am not training, I have the honor to be a law enforcement officer. Serving the Norton community in full time capacities for the last three years. I love the job and highly enjoy the challenge of encountering new situations, with the excitement that consistently meeting new people brings."

However, getting to this point has not been easy. Dedicating seventeen long fought years to the love of boxing and the goals,  I need to achieve within the sport. Striving for continued improvement and conquering these goals, is a passion of mine.  Many take a look at me, a polished, five-foot female and may wonder why I started boxing; and the truth to that question, is many reasons.

All photos/except for USA Boxing Photo Courtesy of
Melanie Costa

Years of training, and as many say blood, sweat and tears, was something that I continuously pushed through and boxing became the best growth experience of my life, that and family, family is always at my core. The achievements and accomplishments that I have gained in my career, have always been with the support and sacrifice of my family, in my corner.

The journey started around ten years old, with kenpo karate. Learning to be confident, show respect, and push myself to new limits. Then, with years of strikes and kicks passed and I realized that I wanted to pursue something more.

Photo Credit:  USA Boxing / Facebook

At twelve, I walked into Mendes Tang Soo Do, and found myself mesmerized by boxers, punching mitts, bags and shadow boxing in mirrors. My eyes widened. I asked my dad if I could try a class. Extremely excited, yet nervous, I entered the gym the next evening. The learning process of throwing accurate punches was long, and at times difficult but I knew I found a love for the sport, as grit and determination was born. I continued to show up every day taking punch after punch, and never wavering. At thirteen, I was scheduled to fight my first amateur boxing match. I had butterflies in my stomach but knew I was ready after days, weeks, and many rounds of hard work. The adrenaline rush from a cheering crowd, when my name was announced, and then again, when my hand was raised as a winner was electrifying, I am addicted to winning and success.

Female boxing weight classes have not always received the respect and attention they deserve. When Female boxing weight classes were finally announced into the 2012 Olympic Games. I set my eye on that prize, increased my training, and went from a relatively unknown boxer to consistently placing in the national Olympic trials.

Along with many other amateur achievements. Including 2012 ,2013, 2016, 2017 National Golden Gloves, 2018 Eastern Elite Qualifier in Tennessee, 2016 Olympic Trials (Top 8 at the 112-weight class) and again in 2020 as Top 8 (125-weight class).

After long hard thought into what my next step should be, I decided to finally look into stepping into professional boxing. In May 2023, I was taken under the wings of CES Boxing Promotions. Winning my professional debut by a second round KO. I now will be moving into my second professional bout as I continue to train each day and have found a home at Big Six Boxing Academy out of Providence, RI. Big Six Boxing is a gym of friends and family and where tough workouts and hard-hitting sparring exist.

Boxing has been a complete light in my life and I will continue the journey. I am excited to see where the professionals will take me as I continue to train hard and learn every day.

On March 23, 2024, at the Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Costa, 126, won a four-round unanimous decision over Sarah Click, 125. Final judges scores were 40-36, 40-36, and 40-36. Costa is now 3-0-0 (1KO), and Click is 1-7-0.
 

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