BKB CEO David Tetreault sees Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr.’s first battle in the UK as a key a part of the promotion’s first journey to Newcastle. Diaz faces Brian Hyslop at BKB 60 on October 10, bringing a former IBF world titleholder and U.S. Olympian into the bare-knuckle ring at Utilita Area Newcastle.
“Getting a real former world champion like JoJo Diaz to make his first-ever UK look at our first-ever Newcastle present says every part about the place this sport is heading,” Tetreault mentioned. “This can be a enormous second for Newcastle and an enormous assertion for BKB.”
Diaz has fought professionally for greater than 14 years, however all 45 of his earlier conventional boxing bouts occurred in the USA or Mexico. His profession consists of fights with Devin Haney, Gary Russell Jr. and Regis Prograis, plus a 2020 resolution win over Tevin Farmer for the IBF tremendous featherweight championship. He represented the USA on the 2012 Olympics earlier than constructing a 34-10-1 report in gloved boxing.
BKB 60
The 33-year-old entered bare-knuckle competitors in July at BKB 56 in Los Angeles and stopped Nate Williams within the first spherical. Diaz now brings a 1-0 BKB report, with one knockout, into an excellent light-weight matchup in opposition to Hyslop, who’s 2-1 with one stoppage. It’s Diaz’s first probability to battle in Britain in any combat-sports format. Diaz mentioned the change of location provides the night time some private historical past.
“I’ve fought everywhere in the States and in Mexico, however I’ve by no means stepped into a hoop within the UK, not as soon as in my complete profession,” Diaz mentioned. “Newcastle goes to be the primary, and I’m doing it naked knuckle.” Tetreault has already needed to modify the Newcastle plan.
BKB initially introduced native heavyweight Mick Terrill in opposition to Kamil Sokolowski as the primary occasion. Terrill accepted a short-notice battle with heavyweight champion Gustavo Trujillo whereas touring to Miami for BKB 60 promotional work, then suffered a lower that won’t heal in time for October 10.
Tetreault mentioned Terrill is anticipated to attend as a particular visitor quite than compete. That change moved Rolando “Dy Unimaginable” Dy’s BKB Tremendous Welterweight World Championship protection in opposition to Scott “The Mute” McHugh into the headline slot.
Tetreault described the matchup as the kind of bout BKB needed atop its first Newcastle card, calling Dy a fighter on a powerful run and McHugh a confirmed champion with a historical past in tough bare-knuckle fights. Dy, 6-1 with 5 knockouts, is the son of former WBC champion Rolando Navarrete and have become the primary Filipino fighter to win BKB gold. His BKB wins embody Liam Rees and former two-weight boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi.
McHugh, a Leeds native, enters at 17-5 with seven knockouts, 5 BKB titles, Naked Knuckle Corridor of Fame recognition and a five-fight profitable streak. The co-main occasion has Britain’s Mark O’Neil, 4-4 with 4 knockouts, in opposition to Poland’s Kamil Sokolowski, 3-1 with three knockouts. Each males have stopped each opponent they’ve overwhelmed in BKB, making their heavyweight assembly a direct distinction in fashion to the championship bout: fewer title implications, however loads of cause to remain near the ring.
The eight-fight fundamental card additionally consists of Adel “Kyokushin” Altamimi in opposition to Liam Howell, David Winiarski vs. Geraint Goodridge, Jon Telfer vs. Mick Kelly, Dec Spelman vs. Andrea Bicchi and Liam Teruel vs. Tom Pratt. The preliminary card options Kieron Harland vs. Nathan Conroy, John Hamilton vs. Florian De La Motte, Rob Barry vs. James McCorrie and Logan Morgan vs. Nick Bass.
