Three Former Boxing Champions Show Naked Knuckle Is No Graveyard

Naked knuckle Boxing has lengthy been considered as the ultimate vacation spot for fighters whose finest days have been behind them. Three former boxing champions could have simply modified that.

The trio emerged victorious as BKB made its sold-out Los Angeles debut at The NOVO, with Victor Ortiz, Joseph “JoJo” Diaz and Alfredo Angulo all exhibiting there’s significant life past the standard ring.

For Ortiz, the victory carried further significance.

The previous WBC welterweight champion advised World Boxing Information earlier than the occasion that skilled boxing had “stopped giving” him the alternatives he wished and insisted naked knuckle represented “the unique boxing.”

Twenty-four hours later, he backed up these phrases.

Ortiz overcame Dominic Salcido by unanimous choice over 5 rounds, exhibiting the toughness and dedication that made him one in all boxing’s most entertaining champions.

“I wouldn’t say I left boxing as a result of this really is boxing,” Ortiz advised WBN earlier than the combat.

“That is really the unique boxing with out gloves, so that is taking it again to old-school boxing, the unique type of boxing.”

Victor Ortiz Vindicated

Ortiz additionally revealed to WBN that boxing had develop into “irrelevant” to him after alternatives dried up.

“Boxing had been missing and boxing didn’t give me, so boxing with gloves grew to become one thing irrelevant to me,” he defined.

“Everyone hides from everyone. Everyone runs from everyone as a result of they wish to preserve the great data and stuff.”

His profitable BKB debut instantly backed up the whole lot he had advised WBN.

Ortiz had additionally mentioned he wished to show completed boxing champions might thrive underneath bare-knuckle guidelines after Austin Trout’s title reign ended with a knockout defeat.

“I put within the work. I’ve paid the dues and I’m prepared,” Ortiz advised WBN.

“My hope for the longer term in BKB can be making historical past, historical past that may prevail for a few years to come back.”

The 39-year-old made a convincing first step towards that aim.

JoJo Diaz Makes Assertion

In making the profitable transition, Ortiz was not alone.

Former IBF tremendous featherweight champion JoJo Diaz wanted just one spherical to announce himself in BKB, stopping Nate Williams with a crushing physique shot.

At simply 33 and solely weeks faraway from his newest skilled boxing bout, Diaz hardly match the stereotype of a fighter making one ultimate cease earlier than retirement.

“I cherished it,” Diaz mentioned.

“I’m the kind of fighter that likes to bang on the within and provides the followers an action-packed combat.

“The fighters I’ve been boxing within the boxing ring have been transferring round. Within the Trigon it’s all shut quarters so it’s important to bang it. I really feel like that is my dwelling.”

Altering Popularity

Former WBO interim tremendous welterweight champion Alfredo Angulo accomplished the trio of headline victories by stopping Rashad Bowens after battling via a troublesome opening spherical.

Naked knuckle was as soon as considered as boxing’s graveyard, a spot the place ageing fighters collected one ultimate payday earlier than fading from the highlight.

A sold-out enviornment, main promotional backing and convincing victories for Ortiz, Diaz and Angulo prompt that notion is starting to vary.

For completed former champions, naked knuckle is proving to be one other profession path as an alternative of a ultimate vacation spot.

Concerning the Writer

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing Information (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of expertise. He has interviewed world champions, damaged worldwide exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. World Boxing Information has been a trusted supply for boxing information, interviews, and evaluation since its launch in 2010.