We’re less than 24 hours away from BYB’s big Leeds Brawl event. It’s the promotion’s first UK event since the action-packed Cardiff Brawl in August.
BYB 32: Leeds Brawl will be streamed live, exclusively on pay-per-view at BKB World TV. U.S. fans who can’t catch the live pay-per-view stream can watch later on BEin Sport, Fuse, and The Fight Network.
A dozen bare knuckle fights are scheduled, with two BYB Police Gazette world title fights headlining the event.
McHugh vs Rees
Hometown lad Scott McHugh battles unbeaten Welsh brawler Liam “Rocky” Rees for the vacant super welterweight title.
McHugh is confident he’ll be the first man to defeat Rees in bare knuckle.
“I’m not going to give the game plan away. I’m telling you now, I’m the strongest, the fastest and the toughest I’ve ever been. So, it’s gonna take a lot to beat me tomorrow,” McHugh told Mike Goldberg.
A pledge he gave to his kids has added motivation.
“I’m telling you now. I told my little girl, my little boy. It’s coming back with me. Once I make them a promise, that’s it,” he said.
Rees, fighting out of Swansea, was respectful when asked for his thoughts.
“Scott McHugh’s the best in this division. He’s two times world champion. He’s done good to get where he is. It’s a pleasure to share the ring with him tomorrow night. But let the best man win,” Rees said.
Gigliotti vs Fitzpatrick
Unbeaten American Harry Gigliotti has shown impressive skills in his two previous BYB fights. In his debut, he demolished Cody Jenkins in one round, knocking the veteran down four times, largely from body shots.
Gigliotti followed with an dominant five-round unanimous decision over Rusty Crowder.
The impressive performances catapulted Gigliotti to the top of the super lightweight rankings. He gets the chance to show he’s the division’s top dog against Joe Fitzpatrick. The winner will be crowned the inaugural BYB Police Gazette Super Lightweight Champion.
The Massachussetts, USA native is from a family of fighters, including his 92-year-old grandfather. While McHugh is motivated by a promise made to his children, Gigliotti’s desire for championship gold is fueled by his grandad.
“I promised him last weekend. That I was going to take home a world title before he passed. He’s still sticking around, and this is for him. This fight means everything to me.”
Joe Fitzpatrick was asked by Goldberg if he was ready to fight for the title.
The Belfast native told the commentator he “was born ready.”
“Two of the best fighters in the world going toe-to-toe. It’s going to be a massive fight. I think it’s going to be Fight of the Night, said Fitzpatrick.
Sokolowski vs Taylor
Before the two world title fights, fans will be treated to a showdown between unbeaten heavyweight knockout artists.
Kamil Sokolowski (2-0, 2 KOs) faces “Big George” Taylor, also 2-0 (2 KOs) in the BYB debut for both BKB veterans.
Sokolowski has the better boxing pedigree, but will give away over 7 stone in weight to the massive Taylor. It evokes memories of the early days of MMA before weight divisions, when “David vs Goliath” matches regularly took place.
The most likely scenario is either Sokolowski knocks Taylor out early, or Taylor weathers the early storm and knocks out the Pole.
Either way, it’s one of those fights that can’t miss. Someone will surely hit the canvas tomorrow night.
BYB 32: Official Weights and Start Time
Here are the official weights.
The action begins at 5pm UK time. That’s twelve noon in New York and 9am in California.
BYB 32: Leeds Brawl Official Weights
Main Event: Scott Mchugh 154.3 vs Liam Rees 154.3
Joe Fitzpatrick 139.6 vs Harry Gigliotti 139.7
Kamil Sololowski 248.9 vs George Taylor 348
Mark Tiffin 165 vs Paul Hilz 165
Dean Smith 155 vs Reece Murray 155.4
Jaica Pavilus 128.2 vs Jacqueline Ayala 128.8
Dean Patterson 169.8 vs David Winiarski 169
Matthew Morton 185 vs Alex Wilson 185
Cyrus Rafi 155 vs Seamus Devlin 155
Salim Jamshidi 149.9 vs Marcin Kosiak 149.5
Aaron Sinclair 149.7 vs Harvey Dossett 145.5
Hayden Sheriff 159.4 vs Rolando Dy 159.4
