At today's BKB 43 Weigh-In and press conference, Bare Knuckle Boxing announced that former IBF junior welterweight and WBA welterweight champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi will face 5-3 bare knuckle veteran Tyler Goodjohn at BKB 45 on September 6 at the Ice Arena in Bristol, England.
Last month, Malignaggi announced that he signed a three-fight deal with BKB in hopes of working his way to a title shot and becoming a two-sport world champion by capturing the historic Police Gazette Diamond Belt. Goodjohn, who made his return to BKB in April with a win over Joe Smith in Cardiff, Wales, holds a 13-6 record and was the English Super Lightweight Champion as a professional boxer, and a National ABA Champion as an amateur.
IMAGE AND VIDEO ASSETS RELATING TO THE FIGHT ARE AVAILABLE HERE:
Malignaggi on Goodjohn (from Press Conference):
"Let me tell you—this guy carried this sport. This guy, for me, doesn’t get the respect. When I told you guys I wanted a reputable name, a guy who's accomplished things, a guy who can promote things—this is exactly what I meant.
"When they brought him up, I said, this is exactly the kind of guy I need to come back.I’m telling you, some good fighters called me out as well—respect to some of you guys.
"You gotta have the right recipe to get in there with me.This guy brings the right recipe and he hasn't gotten the respect he deserves in my opinion in this sport—the way he's carried this sport.
"So I say, you know what? Putting him in the Trigon with me, we can market this the right way. He can get the promotability he needs, I can get the promotability I need, and we can bring this thing to another level.
"Let me tell you something: six years ago, I fought for another promotion. I brought that promotion to another level when I fought for them. What BKB has done for me—I owe BKB a lot, okay? And I want to bring this company to another level as well. So me and Tyler, in this fight, we're going to bring this company to the next level. And it's going to benefit all these fighters."
BKB’s next event will be this Saturday, July 5 for BKB 43 at the Hideout Arena in Bolton, England. The event will air live exclusively in the UK and Ireland on talkSPORT at 7 PM BST, and at 8 PM ET in the US and Canada on VICE TV. Visit bkbbareknuckle.com for tickets, information and all ways to watch.
.png)
