On the eve of Veterans Day, the Bridgewater Veterans Club in Massachusetts turned into a battleground for “Friday Fight Night.” Kevin “Big Gulp” Nagle, a U.S. Army veteran with a flawless record (4-0, 4 KOs), stole the spotlight. Presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), this event wasn’t just about fists and fury; it was a tribute to those who’ve served.
GCP joined forces with the local Fire For Effect Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting veterans, first responders, and their families. They’re all about resilience, hope, and community. Check out www.ffefinc.org to dive deeper into their noble cause.
Nagle, hailing from Scituate, is no stranger to tough battles, having served in Iraq and Kosovo. Now, he’s making waves at the VA Medical Center in Brockton, Massachusetts. In the ring, his near-300-pound frame was a force to be reckoned with, overpowering the lighter Max DaSilva (0-2). Following advice from his cornerman, Steve Vukosa, Nagle unleashed a devastating three-punch combo in the third round, sealing DaSilva’s fate.
James “Pitbull” Perkins from Lynn, Massachusetts, bounced back impressively in the super middleweight division. After a recent setback, Perkins (13-1-1, 10 KOs) faced Saul “The Spider” Almeida Braga, an MMA veteran. Dropping Braga early, Perkins showed he’s still a force to reckon with.
James Perkins – always in your face, relentless for six rounds.
Then there’s Ryan Clark from New Hampshire (2-6, 2 KOs), a middleweight who never holds back. His aggressive, fan-pleasing style broke down Jay Gregory, leading to a third-round stoppage by the referee.
The night’s standout performer? Armando Rabi, a Cuban lightweight (10-0, 9 KOs), and the 2015 Cuban National Champion. Facing Aldimar Silva, a seasoned Brazilian (22-25, 14 KOs), Rabi delivered a masterclass. A perfectly timed straight right sent Silva crashing, ending the bout in the first round.
Travis Gambardella, a super middleweight from Revere (8-2-2, 4 KOs), wasted no time against Juan Celin Zapata. An overhand right at the end of round one sent the Honduran packing, with the referee calling it quits as Zapata struggled to regain his footing.
Last but not least, New Bedford’s “Vicious” Anthony Vieira (3-0, all KOs) showed his prowess against Milton Noleto. Vieira’s relentless attack, including a controversial punch, led to three knockdowns, forcing the referee to step in and halt the bout.