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Home | Fort Hood News | Fort Hood’s Fight Night returns with energy, packed house

Fort Hood’s Fight Night returns with energy, packed house

A large crowd fills the bleachers and floor seating of Abrams Physical Fitness Center as spectators watch a boxing match in the center ring during Fort Hood’s Fight Night on June 27, 2025. The boxing ring is brightly lit, surrounded by cameras, flags, and event staff, with fans standing and seated throughout the packed gymnasium.
Spectators pack the Abrams Physical Fitness Center during Fort Hood’s Fight Night June 27 at Fort Hood. The event, hosted by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, featured 14 active-duty Soldiers competing in seven boxing bouts in front of a crowd of more than 2,600 people. (U.S. Army photo by Eric Franklin, Fort Hood Public Affairs)

By Eric Franklin, Fort Hood Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas — Fight Night made its long-awaited return June 27, drawing more than 2,600 people to Abrams Physical Fitness Center for an evening of action and Army pride.

Fourteen active-duty Soldiers stepped into the ring across seven bouts, most consisting of three, two-minute rounds, as the last round featured three, three-minute rounds. There were no knockouts, but the referee did have to stop the second bout early. Every match delivered intensity, grit and crowd-pleasing moments.

For Staff Sgt. Mekiala Jackson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 36th Engineer Brigade, who earned a win in her first bout, the night exceeded expectations.

“I really just came out to test myself,” she said. “Winning like that felt better than I could have imagined.”

Pvt. Justin Almonte, 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, entered the ring with a lifelong connection to the sport. Raised by two boxers, he began fighting at the age of 4.

“This is what I do best,” Almonte said. “The Army gave me a chance to represent and I took it.”

For others, the fight was about more than winning. It was about redemption.

“My last fight was a loss three years ago,” said Staff Sgt. Jose Gonzalez, Division Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division. “Getting back in the ring and walking away with a win meant a lot.”

The crowd played a key role throughout the night, with supporters filling the gym and standing shoulder to shoulder along the walls. Fighters said the energy was unlike anything they had experienced before.

“I did not expect that many people,” Jackson said. “It was loud, it was packed and it gave us something to fight for.”

Hosted by Fort Hood Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Fight Night was the first installation-wide boxing event since 2009. Organizers said the event will return this fall with plans to include Soldiers from other III Armored Corps installations.

Spc. Alex Brown, wearing black trunks and blue headgear, throws a jab at Spc. Javier Cordova, dressed in red trunks and red headgear, during a boxing match at Fort Hood’s Fight Night. A referee stands nearby in the ring as a large crowd watches from the background inside Abrams Physical Fitness Center.
Spc. Alex Brown, left, Division Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, lands a jab on Spc. Javier Cordova, 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 69th ADA Brigade, during a bout at Fort Hood’s Fight Night June 27 at Abrams Physical Fitness Center, Fort Hood, Texas. Brown competed in black trunks while Cordova wore red. The event, hosted by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, featured seven bouts between 14 active-duty Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Eric Franklin, Fort Hood Public Affairs)

For more photos of the Fight Night, visit the Fort Hood Flickr page at https://flic.kr/ps/2sgUNp.

To watch the video of Fight Night visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CDPS4zcqR/.