Los Angeles, California, USA – BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, the world's leading and fastest-growing professional bare knuckle organization, today announced the signing of two elite boxing prospects: Fernando Vargas Jr. (17-1, 15 KOs) and Amado Vargas (13-0, 6 KOs). The brothers, both in their physical prime, are making the highly anticipated jump from gloved boxing to bare knuckle competition under a multi-fight agreement. 

Mike Vazquez, Founder of BKB Bare Knuckle, said: “The growth of BKB over the past twelve months has been immense. We’ve signed some of the greatest legends in combat sports. Now, we’re seeing undefeated prospects with world title potential in gloved boxing transition to bare knuckle in their prime - and we’re only going to see more of this. I can’t wait to see the Vargas brothers in the trigon.” 

David Tetreault, CEO of BKB Bare Knuckle, said: “Signing both Fernando Jr. and Amado is a major addition to our roster. These are two athletes in their physical prime, hungry for success - and they see BKB as the perfect opportunity to achieve this. BKB is going mainstream and the Vargas brothers will play a huge part in driving us there.” 

Carrying the championship lineage of their father, two-time light middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas, the brothers bring proven elite-level talent and a burning hunger for success to bare knuckle boxing. Fernando Jr. has overcome significant personal setbacks to compile a professional record featuring 15 knockouts in 17 wins, including an 11-fight knockout streak early in his career. Amado, an aggressive pressure fighter, has steadily risen through tougher competition with multiple early finishes. Together with their younger brother Emiliano, they represent the powerful Vargas Dynasty and have the potential to become the poster boys for bare knuckle boxing for many years to come. 

These groundbreaking signings underscore the surging momentum of BKB, which continues to draw decorated gloved boxers to their high-stakes, action-packed events. The promotion has recently welcomed stars like Olympic gold medalist and former multi-weight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, and former world champions Lee Selby and Victor Ortiz to the bare knuckle ranks, with all of their debuts to be announced in the coming weeks. Trailblazer Paulie Malignaggi challenges reigning champion Rolando Dy for the BKB Welterweight World Title on May 16th in Manchester after a highly successful debut.

Fernando Vargas Jr., nicknamed “El Feroz” after his father, is a ferocious finisher with legitimate world-title pedigree in his blood. The 29-year-old super welterweight turned pro at age 24 after overcoming major personal setbacks, including time in jail where he trained by using his prison She;mattress as a heavy bag. He responded with an explosive start, winning his first 11 professional fights by knockout and boasting an 88% finishing rate. His only defeat came in a competitive decision against rising star Callum Walsh on the stacked Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford pay-per-view card in September 2025. A dedicated, straight-edge athlete, Vargas Jr. has rebuilt his career with discipline and hunger, proving he belongs among the sport’s elite. 

Amado Vargas, the 25-year-old middle brother, is an aggressive pressure fighter renowned for his relentless pace, sharp combinations, and punishing body attacks. With a strong amateur background that included a No. 5 national ranking in the 114-pound class with Team USA, Amado turned professional in early 2021 and has consistently stepped up in competition. He has scored early knockouts in three of his last five bouts, with standout victories over Sean Garcia (brother of WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia) in July 2024 and Nurideen “Deen The Great” Shabazz at Misfits Mania in December 2025. Like his brothers, Amado trains as part of the tight-knit Vargas Dynasty unit and lives a clean, disciplined lifestyle 

The Vargas brothers were featured in the 2014 reality docuseries Welcome to Los Vargas, which showcased the “Dynasty” concept. They maintain a heavy social media presence and also work as actors, models, and entrepreneurs. In 2024, they served as special guests in the 92nd annual Hollywood Christmas Parade on The CW Network, benefiting Marine Toys for Tots. 

Their move to BKB is driven by the promotion’s explosive growth, top-tier production, and the raw intensity of bare knuckle fighting. The brothers see BKB as the ideal stage to compete together as a unified family unit and build on their legacy in the purest form of the sport. 

Fernando Vargas Jr. said: “My brothers and I are in our prime and we see BKB as the future of combat sports. I’m bringing the same ferocious finishing power that earned me the nickname ‘El Feroz’ - the kind of knockout hunger that can make me a world champion here just like my father. This is our chance to step up, fight the legends crossing over, and build our own legacy as bare knuckle icons.” 

Amado Vargas said: “We’re in our prime and ready to make our mark as pioneers in bare knuckle. What I bring is nonstop pressure, sharp combinations, and body work that breaks opponents down. BKB gives us the platform to follow in our dad’s footsteps, face the big names making the jump, and become world-renowned champions together as the Vargas Dynasty.” 

The Vargas brothers join an elite and rapidly growing roster of more than 200 fighters from over 30 countries, highlighting BKB’s magnetic pull for boxing’s next-generation talents seeking the ultimate test in the most primal combat sport. More major announcements are coming as BKB maintains its meteoric rise.

From its origins in 2015 as BYB Extreme Fighting Series, founded by MMA pioneer Dhafir "Dada 5000" Harris and Mike Vazquez, BKB has transformed bare knuckle boxing into a regulated, globally broadcast powerhouse through strategic acquisitions, including the original UK-based BKB in 2021 and Bad To The Bone in 2025, and a fighter-first philosophy that emphasizes athlete welfare and opportunity. Landmark broadcast partnerships with talkSPORT (UK and Ireland), VICE (US and Canada), and Telemundo (Spanish-language in the US) have delivered live events to millions worldwide. 

Details on the Vargas brothers’ debut fights and upcoming events will be announced soon. Fans can visit www.bkbbareknuckle.com and follow @bkbbareknuckle for the latest news and information. 

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