Two of the very best in the business are set to scrap for BYB’s ultimate prize.
February 22nd, in Denver Colorado, the bare knuckle world will watch with bated breath as two unstoppable forces collide in BYB’s Mighty Trigon.
A young phenom who has been perfect in his pursuit of a world title. A veteran hot on the heels of greatness, hunting down and dismantling anyone in his path. Fighters with hands that rival the speed of light, and power that has proved to be insurmountable. Modern day gladiators, from different walks of life set to clash for the highest honour possible. This is championship bare knuckle. This is Harry Gigliotti (3-0, 2 KO) vs. Jon Barnard (4-0, 4 KO) for the BYB Super Lightweight World Title.
Photo Courtesy: Jon Barnard
Jon Barnard, a Hawaii product, did not set out from the beginning to become a fighter. Instead, he began MMA training just to get in shape. However, a spur of the moment late fill in got him his first taste of competition, and his first win. Over the next decade, Barnard may not have always been an active fighter, but he was constantly working on his craft both on his own and through coaching fellow teammates that included future UFC Champion Max Holloway. That’s why when Barnard made his debut in the Trigon, it looked like he'd been doing this his whole life. A quick and tidy second round stoppage over Gareth Van Hoof started his run to the title.
Photo Courtesy: Harry Gigliotti
The current BYB Super Lightweight Champion Harry Gigliotti was born into a fighting family. Based in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Gigliotti is a fourth generation boxer. In December of 2023, just seven months after Barnard joined the BYB roster, Gigliotti would one up him with a first round TKO over Cody Jenkins, announcing the arrival of “The Hitman” to bare knuckle.
Both guys would pick up another win in their next fight. Gigliotti a five round slugfest with Rusty Crowder, and Barnard a first round stoppage over Trevor Morris. That would set them up for the biggest fight of their bare knuckle careers.
Barnard would enter a number one contender bout at lightweight against the current featherweight champion Harold McQueen. Fight week animosity would ramp up when trash talk from McQueen took a dark turn when he made disparaging comments about Barnard’s homeland of Hawaii. The tribulations for Barnard wouldn’t stop there as early in the fight he would have his head snapped back after a combination against the ropes and was sent to the canvas. However, “Untameable” would shake it off, step up his intensity, and put a pressure on McQueen that proved to be too much. Barnard would finish the fight in the third round, cementing his status as a top contender.
Not long after, Gigliotti would enter a bout with Joe Fitzpatrick for the vacant 140-lb title. Quietly battling a sickness in the lead up to the fight, it was compounded with a public promise made to his 92-year-old grandfather, that he would win him this world title. Pressure was at an all time high but Gigliotti showed he was up to the challenge. In the first round, a quick flurry against the ropes punctuated by a devastating body shot was enough to keep Fitzpatrick down. Gigliotti kept the promise and became a world champion.
Gigliotti showcases classic boxing technique with a big emphasis on bodywork, collecting both of his KO wins by that method. While he made quick work of two of his opponents leading to short stays in the Trigon, his fight with Crowder went all five scheduled rounds. Through this, Gigliotti gained invaluable experience, especially in the later rounds working in the active clinch, something “The Hitman” wouldn’t have had in boxing.
Barnard on the other hand is a self taught boxer. With a background in kickboxing and MMA, the Hawaii product has taken it upon himself to change his skillset to bare knuckle fighting. With smooth combinations and blazing hand speed, Barnard has showcased his abilities well through three fights. Untameable proved to be unshakeable when knocked down by McQueen in their meeting and showed his competitive grit and toughness, which allowed him to turn the tide.
A match that fans and media members, BK Nation in particular, have wanted for months is finally a reality. For Gigliotti, it’s to continue the family legacy and build one of his own. For Barnard, it's the pride of his homeland and the culmination of more than a decade of combat sports excellence. It’s two unstoppable forces, it’s two undying wills to win, it’s Harry Gigliotti vs Jon Barnard. February 22nd at BYB 37.
Top Photo Courtesy of BYB.
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