BKB Bare Knuckle returns to Leeds with its biggest UK event of 2025, this Saturday 18 October.
BKB 47: Leeds Brawl II features the promotional debut of former boxing world champion and standout analyst, Paulie Malignaggi.
Malignaggi takes on Tyler Goodjohn, a veteran BKB contender and former BKFC title challenger in the main event.
Malignaggi is returning from a six-year layoff. He lost on points to Artem Lobov in a bare-knuckle fight six years ago, the only gloveless bout of his career.
It’s a fascinating match up and contrast of styles.
Malignaggi is thought of as a slick boxer who lacked power-he only scored eight knockouts in his gloved boxing career.
Goodjohn also boxed professionally but has made his name in bare knuckle fighting. Nicknamed “The Tornado”, Goodjohn is an in-your-face pressure fighter, the opposite of the slick Malignaggi. He’ll be the more experienced bare knuckler Saturday, bringing a 5-3 record into the Malignaggi showdown.
It’s a deceiving record. Goodjohn’s three defeats have been by decision to former champions or title challengers, namely Luis Palomino, Welsh standout James Lilley and Tony Soto.
Goodjohn also holds a split-decision win over BKB Hall-of-famer Sean George. In his BKB return this past April, he decisioned “Gypsy” Joe Smith.
The Cambridgeshire resident’s bare knuckle pedigree is unquestionable, and he may be too much for Paulie at this stage of Malignaggi’s career. Paulie is 10 years older than Tyler (44 vs 34), has a reputation for fragile hands, and has never competed in BKB’s triangle-shaped ring, The Trigon.
Can the older matador tame the younger bull? Will Paulie’s hands hold up in a five round fight with three-minute rounds? Will Goodjohn redeem himself with a win on the big stage after an up-and-down career and disappointing decision defeats?
“Big Pod” Defends Against Martinjak
As previously reported, BKB Bridgerweight boss Dan Podmore defends against Croatia’s Marko Martinjak in the BKB 47 chief co-main event.
Podmore (9-3, 8 Kos) has won 3 fights in a row since back-to-back stoppage losses to Akhmed Baguzhaev and Richie Leak. He retained his title with a unanimous points win over Emil Markic in Cardiff in April, but lost his consecutive knockout streak.
Croatian KO King Marko Martinjak
Croatia’s Martinjak looks for another title in a higher weight division after winning BKB and Police Gazette titles in the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions.
A journeyman boxer, Martinjak is proof that you don’t need to be an elite boxer to be a formidable bare knuckle fighter.
Martinjak lost his ungloved debut to Michael Ferry at BKB 1 in 2016. Since then, he’s earned a reputation as one of the game’s best.
He reeled off six consecutive stoppage wins before losing to Jarome Hatch at BYB 16. Martinjak was winning the fight before he got caught by the hard-hitting Hatch.
Martinjak avenged the Hatch defeat three months later, knocking out the Texan in round two at the inaugural Police Gazette Cup in London.
He travelled across the water to America to end the Hatch rivalry. Martinjak won the rubber match by first-round TKO.
Three more first-round finishes have followed, over Kevin Greenwood, UFC vet Brad Scott and Maurice Morris.
Martinjak’s pro bare knuckle record now stands at 11-2 (11 Kos). The Zagreb native boasts a 100% knockout percentage and has scored four straight one round victories.
Podmore (9-2, 8 Kos) knockout record isn’t too shabby either.
Fireworks are almost guaranteed when the two champions trade blows. So is a finish inside the distance.
Mute McHugh Returns Before Leeds Fans
Scott McHugh fared poorly last time he fought before the Leeds hometown faithful.
“The Mute” was dropped and stopped by Welsh upstart Liam “Rocky” Rees, ruining his homecoming.
McHugh, a former BKB champion prior the BYB merger, rebounded with a points win over Liam Howell in Bolton.
He’ll take on Northern Ireland’s Joe Fitzpatrick in a featured fight at BKB 47.
In other action, heavy punching Aaron McCallum meets Liam Howell. Rising lightweight Jack Dugdale (4-1) goes up against the more experienced Reece Murray.
Six other bouts round out the fight card (subject to change), per Boxrec.
How to Watch BKB 47
Fans can find out Saturday by tuning in to the live and free steam on the TalkSport Boxing YouTube channel. The action starts at 5pm UK time.
Fans in the U.S. can catch the action on Vice Sports.
