Photo: Jared Brosnan/WBZ NewsRadio
LAWRENCE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Haverhill boxer now holds a piece of combat sports history.
Harry “The Hitman” Gigliotti recently won the inaugural BYB Extreme Fighting Series super lightweight title at BYB 32 in England. Gigliotti is a fourth-generation boxer and a former New England Golden Gloves runner-up, but he is quickly making his mark in the fast-growing world of bare knuckle boxing.
“This was just my second nature. This is just something I’ve always known my whole life, but I never expected to be the first of my generation to fight [in] bare knuckle boxing,” said Gigliotti.
His grandfather Norman Fraza is a massive source of inspiration for Gigliotti and has loved watching his grandson make waves in bare knuckle boxing.
“Back in the day when they fought it was the old leatherback gloves that were small, thin, and skinny. [Then,] it grew to what it is and evolved into more of a technical sport. This is more traditional,” said Gigliotti. “It explains my lineage and my family’s history through fighting.”
Harry "The Hitman" Gigliotti holding his Police Gazette World Diamond Belt at Rock Steady Boxing Gym in Lawrence, Mass. Photo: Jared Brosnan/WBZ NewsRadio
Gigliotti returned to the Commonwealth with a Police Gazette World Diamond Belt, which traces all the way back to the late 19th century. The historic belt is considered by many to be the first title belt awarded in organized combat sports.
“The first person to hold it was John L. Sullivan, who was originally from Boston. His family immigrated over here from Ireland, so it’s a national treasure to the combat sports game,” said Gigliotti.
Gigliotti said he plans to hang the belt above the ring at Rock Steady Boxing Gym in Lawrence, Mass. He will continue to train there as he awaits his first title defense.
WBZ’s Jared Brosnan (@JaredBrosnanWBZ) reports.
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