MIAMI, FLORIDA – BKB Bare KnuckleBoxing Hall of Fame Matchmaker Mel Valenzuela announced today that the BKB 45matchup between former IBF junior welterweight and WBA welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi and 5-3 bare knuckle veteran Tyler Goodjohn will now take place October 18 at the Ice Palace in Leeds, UK due to Malignaggi sustaining a sprained thumb during his fight camp.

In June, Malignaggi, who has served as BKB’s color commentator and lead analyst since 2021, announced that he had signed a three-fight deal with BKB with aspirations of becoming a two-sport world champion. Goodjohn was announced as his opponent ahead of BKB 43 in Bolton last month.

Said Malignaggi, “I’ve had a great camp and I’m in the best shape of my life. This is a very minor setback, but I owe it to myself, Tyler, BKB and to the fans to be at my absolute 100% when I step into the Trigon and put on a show for them with no excuses.  This is a postponement not a cancellation.”

He added, “ I'm happy to be still able to fight in front of the British fans. I'm sure Tyler is happy as well to be still fighting in his home country.  So, Tyler, make sure you're ready. Train hard. Don't roll over.  Because we got an appointment on 18th of October.”

Said Goodjohn, “ Ice that hand, mate. Take all this stuff you need to. Just get you in that ring, mate, because as far as I'm concerned, with all the commotion that's been made about you coming back to bare knuckle, there's no way you can't not fight me.Now get that hand iced up, all the painkillers. You need all that becauseOctober 18th is going down, mate.”

BKB 47 Leeds Brawl II will take place October 18 at Planet Ice, Elland Rd, Beeston, Leeds LS11 0EY,United Kingdom.  The fight will be broadcast live in the UK and Ireland on TalkSPORT, and in the US and Canada at8 PM ET on Vice.  Tickets are on sale now at bkbtickets.com/bkb47.

Fans that have purchased tickets online for BKB 45 in Bristol will receive a discount code to attend BKB 47 with the rescheduled main event.

ABOUT BKB BARE KNUCKLE BOXING

In the past two years, BKB (originally BYB) has purchased the UK-based BKB, the world’s oldest professional bare knuckle boxing company, and in doing so merged the organizations to create the largest bare knuckle boxing company in the world in terms of roster, library and distribution; ushered in ethical and legalized gambling to the sport;  acquired the rights to the historic and prestigious Police Gazette Diamond Belt which now serves as the Bare Knuckle Boxing World Championship; and brought bare knuckle boxing to lineal television on both sides of the Atlantic, including the recent deal with VICE TV and in the UK with TalkSPORT.