The highly anticipated rematch between LT “Smash” Nelson and James Connelly has a new date.
The two bare knuckle warriors will battle for Nelson’s BYB Police Gazette Super Middleweight Title on 22 March. The world title fight headlines BYB 38, taking place at The Hangar in Wolverhampton.
Nelson and Connelly were set to battle on 11 January in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. The bout was postponed after the local athletic commission would only permit the fight to be fought with five 3-minute rounds instead of the usual six-round distance for BYB title fights.
Nelson explained in a video he would have faced Connelly last weekend in a five round bout, but not if his title was at stake. According to Nelson, a five-round fight “is not a title fight” and his contract stipulated a six-round title fight.
LT Nelson shared his side of the story of why his title fight with James Connelly got postponed 👀#BYB35 #BYBExtreme #BareKnuckle pic.twitter.com/8bq5eWXQRM
— BYB Extreme Bare Knuckle Fighting Series (@bybextreme) January 14, 2025
The fighters are now set to face each other in a six-round rematch two months after the postponement. Connelly gets a crack at Nelson on UK soil. Their first fight, a draw, took place in Florida in 2023.
BYB 38 Fight Card
An early fight card (subject to change) has been released.
Notable matchups include a battle between BKB veterans Aaron McCallum and Mark Tiffin, both coming off wins.
A battle between “Smudgers” is also scheduled. Veterans Luke Smith and Dean Smith will do battle.
Simey Doherty, who recently defeated Ionel Levitchi, makes his BYB debut against David Winiarski.
Here’s the fight card, courtesy of BYB.
Ryan Meer v Nathan Massey
David Winiarski v Simey Doherty
Dean Patterson v Patrick Nash
Aaron McCallum v Mark Tiffin
Jordan Ward v Callan Harley
Matty Moore v Gavin Curragh
Dean Smudger Smith v Luke Smudger Smith
Mitch Turner v Matthew Morton
