Back on Duty: Melanie ‘Pitbull’ Costa Returns August 29 at Encore Boston Harbor
NORTON, MA – Whether she is patrolling the streets of Norton or stalking an opponent inside the ring, Melanie “Pitbull” Costa (3-1, 1 KO) has never been one to back down from a challenge.
On Saturday, August 29, the five-time national amateur champion returns to action for the first time in 18 months to face 14-fight veteran Brittany Dukes in a four-round bantamweight showdown on Boston Harbor Fight Night 2, a loaded 10-bout card presented by CES Boxing in association with Granite Chin Promotions. The action takes place at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts.
Tickets for Boston Harbor Fight Night 2 are quickly selling out – purchase yours now at Boston Harbor Fight Night.
2025 was a difficult year for the Norton native. In February, Costa suffered the first loss of her professional career. A few months later, her father became ill, prompting Melanie to take time away from the sport.
“Family always comes first, and my father was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” revealed Costa. “I kept training in the gym, but I put boxing on the back burner. I wasn’t in fighting shape.”
With her father’s cancer now in remission, Costa is ready to resume the pursuit of her lifelong dream: becoming a world champion.
It is a fitting return for a fighter whose career has always been built around resilience.
Costa began boxing at just 12 years old after deciding karate wasn’t intense enough for her. By 13, she was competing in amateur bouts, beginning a journey that eventually developed her into one of the most accomplished female amateur boxers in New England.
Costa became a multiple-time National Golden Gloves champion and competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials during two different Olympic cycles. She reached the final eight of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials at 112 pounds, where she shared the ring with Olympic bronze medalist and future professional world champion Marlen Esparza. Costa made another run at the Olympics at 125 pounds before eventually turning professional in 2023.
Her accomplishments extend beyond the ring. In April 2025, Costa was honored by the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame in Las Vegas as one of the Women Cops Who Box. The event was part of the hall of fame induction weekend festivities, recognizing women who have balanced careers in law enforcement with their pursuit of excellence in boxing.
It is a balancing act Costa knows well.
“Whether it’s in the ring or on the job, you have to be ready for anything,” said Costa of the similarities between her two professions. “Boxing taught me to push myself through any circumstance, and that mindset followed me into policing. Just like you never know who you’re getting in the ring with, you have to be prepared for anything that can happen as an officer.”
While both jobs are physically demanding, it is the mental fortitude that each require that allow Melanie to persevere through difficult times.
“In both, you have to be determined to succeed,” said Costa. “Just like I want to become a world champion, I want to do the best I can to protect my community. Not every day is going to be easy, but it takes a positive mindset and lots of drive and motivation to push through those tough days.”
That mentality will be on display August 29, when Melanie returns to the ring for the first time since dropping a four-round split decision to the undefeated Shannel Butler.
“Mentally, I wasn’t there,” reflects Costa of the fight. “I didn’t fight my fight and I let my opponent fight her fight. I took the loss hard, but I thought about what I had to do, got back in the gym, and improved physically and mentally.”
Anyone who has watched ‘Pitbull’ fight knows exactly what Costa means by fighting her fight.
As her nickname suggests, the 5-foot Costa is naturally an inside fighter. She comes forward behind a high guard, attacks the body, applies constant pressure and looks to turn every bout into the kind of close quarters battle she has enjoyed since she first walked into a boxing gym as a 12-year-old.
“I’m an action-packed fighter,” agreed Costa. “I’m aggressive and I keep coming forward. I apply pressure, and I stay on my opponent.”
That entertaining style has allowed Melanie to develop a loyal following that has supported her throughout her career.
“My crowd goes where I fight,” said Costa. “Fighting at Encore will bring more of them out because it’s closer to home. I’m so happy to receive the support of my family, friends and fans.”
Most importantly, one person who has been there since the beginning will be beside her every step of the way.
“My father will be walking me out to the ring with my coaches, and he will be in my corner for the fight,” said Costa. “That gives me all the motivation I need.”
For more information on Boston Harbor Fight Night 2 and all other CES Boxing events, visit cesfights.com.
INFORMATION
About CES Boxing
CES Boxing is one of the top promotions on the East Coast. Founded in 1992 by Jimmy Burchfield Sr., CES Boxing has promoted many world class fighters, including Jamaine Ortiz, Juiseppe Cusumano, Hank Lundy, Vinny Paz, Peter Manfredo, Mariusz Wach, Jason Estrada, Matt Godfrey, Chad Dawson and Ray Oliveira. CES Boxing has promoted such super fights as “The Thriller on Triller: Tyson v Jones Jr.”, “Mayweather vs. Gotti III” and “The Contender: Manfredo v Pemberton”.