In the midst of BKB 60 fight week, BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing is making some big announcements.
Yesterday, the promotion announced its joined forces with Mexican media giant TV Azteca for the network to broadcast BKB events to Mexico and Latin America. The partnerships begins with Saturday night’s BKB 60 event in Newcastle.
“Mexico and Latin America are passionate combat sports markets with an incredible appetite for world-class fighting, and we’re excited to partner with TV Azteca to bring BKB to even more fans across the region,” said BKB CEO David Tetreault.
“TV Azteca is a tremendous platform for our sport, and launching the partnership with BKB 60 in Newcastle gives fans an opportunity to experience the intensity and authenticity of bare knuckle boxing from the very beginning.”
“We are excited to welcome BKB to TV Azteca and bring this unique form of combat sports to our audiences in Mexico and Latin America,” said Adrian Ortega of TV Azteca.
BKB held its first event in Mexico last month. BKB 59 featured a title winning performance by Mexico’s Cecilia Ulloa. In the main event, Tijuana native Julian Fernandez retained the promotion’s cruiserweight title by stoppage over former champion Dan Podmore.
BKB partnered with Zanfer Boxing, one of Mexico’s top boxing promotions for the event.
The new deal is a big win for BKB as their events will now air on a top broadcaster. TV Azteca is known for its boxing coverage, and its viewers will now get a chance to witness the excitement and intensity of bare knuckle. BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing’s content is now available to “audiences across more than 100 countries”, according to the press release.
Martinjak Returns at BKB 61: London
In other big BKB news, the promotion announced “The Emperor of BKB” Marko Martinjak will defend his BKB Bridgerweight Title at BKB 61 in London on 14 November. Martinjak will face former British cruiserweight boxing champion Matty Askin in the chief support to the Lee Selby-Ollie Sentance main event.
Croatia’s Martinjak (13-2 13 KOs), along with BKB promotional stablemates Smash Nelson and Cub Hawkins, is considered one of bare knuckle’s best pound-for-pound fighters.
The 35-year-old hasn’t lost since March 2023, and has won his last six bouts by first-round knockout. The knockout streak includes wins over former champions Ike Villanueva, Dan Podmore and Jarome Hatch (twice).
He can’t afford to look past Askin (1-0, 1 KO bare knuckle), who like Martinjak has extensive pro boxing experience.
Askin won 23 of 28 professional boxing bouts in a decade long career that ended in 2018. He won both the English and British cruiserweight titles, successfully defending the latter once before losing the title on points to future champion Laurence Okolie.
He’ll take a big step up in just his second bare knuckle fight. Askin debuted with a first-round stoppage over Julian Kerr in July.
BKB 61 takes place on 14 November at the Indigo at the o2 Arena in North Greenwich. Tickets are now on sale via AXS, with tickets starting at just over £55.
