BKB Middleweight Champion Lorawnt “Smash” Nelson will return to the Trigon at BKB 53 in New York on 26 April, the promotion announced.
Nelson will defend his BKB Police Gazette Middleweight Title against the UK’s Mark Tiffin.
2025 was a year of settling scores for the 35-year-old Nelson (8-1-1, 7 KOs).
In March, he avenged the draw on his record with a unanimous decision win over James Connelly. Three months later in June,
Nelson stopped former champion Sam Liera to avenge his only pro bare knuckle loss. Liera had defeated Nelson by close decision in December 2022.
“Smash” had been scheduled to face Wales’s Barry Jones at BKB 49 last November. He injured his collarbone during training and was replaced on the
card by BKB Cruiserweight Champion Cub Hawkins. Hawkins stopped Jones in the first round.
Tiffin (5-2, 4 KOs) comes into the title fight with a two-fight win streak. He avenged a 2023 stoppage defeat to Aaron McCallum in his last fight, winning a split decision over “The Baron” at BKB 38 in March 2025.
It was Tiffin’s second consecutive win in the Trigon. He stopped veteran Paul Hilz in the first round at BYB 32 in October 2024.
The Nelson-Tiffin title bout is one of two title fights confirmed for BKB 53.
In the other championship bout, Jarod Grant will defend the BKB Lightweight Title against Jon Barnard. The two previously met at BKB 48 last November. The fight was stopped because of an accidental eye poke and ruled a no contest.
