Another night of fights in the books let's take a look at what went down!
BYB was back in familiar territory as they took to Denver, Colorado for BYB 37. While there is an entire card worth of action to dive into, I want to start with the main event between BYB Super Lightweight Champion Harry Gigliotti and Jon Barnard.
This is a personal one for BK Nation as we have been pining for this fight for a very long time. Given the styles and hand speed of both guys, we knew that if they entered the Trigon, we would see an amazing tilt. And boy were we right.
The fight started fast with both guys trading huge combinations but it became clear that Gigliotti was carrying the power advantage, while the slightly undersized Barnard was a little faster. Barnard was able to do some good work in the clinch, but when back at range, it was Gigliotti who was leading most of the dance.
Both guys looked crisp and clean finding a home for their combinations. Gigliotti scored a knockdown in the first round with a thunderous combination. Barnard was able to shake it off and make it a very competitive fight, although he had issues with swelling around his eyes which ultimately led to the stoppage in the fourth round.
It was a phenomenal fight, and well worth the wait. While I certainly wouldn’t object to a rematch, I’d love to see what Barnard could do down at his more natural weight class of 135. We saw what he did at that weight against Harold McQueen and based on what I saw at BYB 37, I think he gives Julio Tanori all kinds of problems if he were to earn a title shot.
Photo Courtesy of Instagram @Klxxblatt
In other notable standout performances, Robert Duran Jr. - son of the legendary Hall of Fame boxer Roberto Duran - picked up his second bare knuckle win when he stopped Joshua Sikes.
The bout between 360+ pound Juan Adams and 330+ pound George Taylor might not win any awards for technique but it certainly takes home the Two Largest Humans I’ve Ever Seen Fight Each Other Award. Taylor eventually had to bow out due to the damage he accumulated around his eyes and Juan Adams improved to 2-0 in his bare knuckle career.
Estevan Partida made an unreal first impression when he jumped all over his opponent Dan Wilson and unleashed an insane onslaught of punishment. With heavy body shots and well timed trips upstairs, it was a true display of his boxing ability which for the meantime seems to translate perfectly to bare knuckle. Fighting at 140-lbs, Gigliotti might have someone new to keep on his radar.
Sam Liera made his return to the Trigon after more than 500 days out of action against old foe Ryan Jett. Both guys had their moments in a very reserved showing from both. It was likely the five rounds they had fought previously that lead to the second one maybe not being the crazy throw down. For my money I thought Jett had done enough to get the win. He was the more active fighter but the judges however didn't agree and gave Liera the split decision win.
For full results see below. Provided by BYB Extreme:
Harry “The Hitman” Gigiliotti was successful in his first title defense of the BYB Super Lightweight title, stopping formerly undefeated challenger Jon Barnard by 4th round knockout in the night’s main event and Fight of the Night. Gigliotti improves his bare knuckle record to 4-0 (3 KOs).
Armus Guyton and Ben Bennett gave the crowd a show in each’s bare knuckle debut with hometown Bennet coming out on top by 3rd round TKO in a hard fought bloody battle.
Nearly 700 pounds met in the Trigon when Super Heavyweights Juan Adams and George Taylor slugged it out in the Trigon with Adams winning by TKO in the first.
Robert Duran Jr. got back in the win column with a Knockout of the Night performance against Joshua Sikes. Duran won by 2nd Round KO.
Mexico’s Carlos Guerra improved to 7-2 in the Trigon, defeating Mongolia’s Azjavkhlan Baatar by doctor’s stoppage after the end of the first round due to a broken hand.
Estevan Partida impressed in his bare knuckle debut, overwhelming hometown fighter Dan Wilson and winning by first round KO.
Former BYB Super Middleweight champion Sam Liera made a triumphant return to the Trigon in the main card opener with a 5 round split decision over Ryan Jett.
Non-televised preliminary matchup, Jorge Bargallo knocked out fellow first-time bare knuckle fighter Will Caylor in the first round.
Top Photo Courtesy of Instagram @Klxxblatt
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