It’s nearly award season, so here is a live look at Prospect of the Year
As the sport of bare knuckle charges towards the end of the year, it’s time to take a look at the front runners for the Bare Knuckle Prospect of the Year. Before we get into the list, we need to set the parameters.
Decided on by the staff of BK Nation here is the criteria to win Prospect of the Year:
Must make their debut in the year of 2024.
No more than 10 pro bouts across all disciplines before making debut.
Cannot fight or win a world title. If this takes you off the list, congratulations, you’re a contender!
No age limit. Bare knuckle in a new sport in the grand scheme of things, if you make waves in your first year, you qualify.
*Rules subject to change before final voting in December
With that out of the way, let's take a look at who could be going home with some hardware at the end of the year!
1. Hasan Al-Ghanim (3-0, 2 KO)
“Hungry” Hasan took the bare knuckle world by storm when he scored a definite Knockout of the Year contender in his debut fight back in March. He followed that up with a first-round KO in August and another win by decision at BKFC 67. With the most wins on this list and three dominant performances Al-Ghanim will be tough to knock off as the leader.
2. Julio Perez (2-0 2 KO)
“The Cuban Horse” needed just 30 seconds to win his debut by knockout back in March. Then in September he would follow it up with a Knockout of the Year contender in just 13 seconds when he face planted his opponent Devonte Jeffery out cold. Both Perez and Al-Ghanim hold some of the best knockouts of 2024, what a year for these two!
3. Yampier Rodriguez (1-0 1 KO)
Only one performance under his belt so far, but the former 7-0 pro boxer made his debut in style back in August with a knockout in the first round. While he was late to the fold, debuting in August, he is making up for lost time with a fight scheduled for December 6th. With a great performance he could propel himself up the rankings making a case for the award!
4. Drew Stuve (2-0 2 KO)
Stuve won his debut by KO back in March with a KO inside of round one. Already off to a great start where this one gets interesting, is that for his second bout, Stuve would main event across from fellow Canadian Sonny Smith. In the second round a resounding knockout would see Stuve collect another stoppage win and the highest profile win amongst the leaders being the only one in a main event.
Other notables are 2-0 Canadian prospects Matt Sholotiuk and Chad Lucanas check in with us again at the end of the year to find out the winner!
Top Photo Courtesy of BKFC.
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