Missed the BKFC fights? We've got you covered!
It’s tough to argue that the deepest talent pool in the bare knuckle boxing world exists anywhere but the United Kingdom. The reality is that bare knuckle is engrained in the culture of UK boxing in general, and prior to BKFC and BYB normalizing bare knuckle boxing in the United States and now globally, bare knuckle fights were taking place underground, and then regulated through BKB far before the wave hit the United States. As a result, there are a lot of eager, but also experienced fighters throughout the UK who now have an opportunity to break out on a larger scale.
Although this show was branded as a “Prospects Series” event, ostensibly because it was an opportunity for the company to scout talent it would like to sign long term, this didn’t resemble a Prospects “calibre” show, per-se. For the most part, this was main card calibre talent from bottom to top.
Stylistically, the fights were much more similar to the type of fighting you would see on a BKB, or now just BYB card. Pure boxing matches that happened to be without gloves, rather than the messier “dirty boxing” style that tends to establish when fighters from MMA origins get in the squared circle.
Here’s what you should go back and check out from BKFC Prospects: Newcastle if you missed the show on Friday afternoon on the east coast:
Paul Venis vs. Stanoy Tabakov
Last week, Venis told Bare Knuckle Nation "I'm just born different. Once I connect with this power, it's game over." Having not fought in a formal setting in the better part of a decade, there was understandable questions about how the former British K-1 standout would look, even in a fight he was fairly heavily favored to win against Tabakov.
Venis exceeded any reasonable expectations with an electric performance, producing a parade of knockdowns—five in total--with a perfectly-timed looping left hook. True to his word, Venis altered the high, tight guard he was used to working behind in kickboxing, and it allowed him to crank hooks from long range. Even after six years away from fighting, three of which were spent in prison, Venis’ power is outstanding.
Before he could finish the fight however, getting dropped by Takabov in the third round, mere seconds before coming back and stopping Tabakov with another left hook.
Venis showed that he’ll be a lot of fun in the cruiserweight division once he gets down below 200 for future fights. By his own admission, after sparring his friend Mick Terrill, he realized that he would likely be out-sized in most true heavyweight fights. However, at cruiserweight he won’t be physically overmatched whatsoever, and his power will be extremely dangerous.
Pic Jardine vs. Bart Krol
Fight atmospheres in the United Kingdom are truly special, and the energy we’re used to hearing in gloved boxing environments at York Hall or the O2 came to Newcastle for this fight specifically.
It was quite the revelatory night for Jardine, a 3-3 MMA fighter who’d been competing on the unlicensed boxing circuit as well. BKFC’s own website described him as “a fairly inactive fighter as of late,” declaring that “more information will be provided on Jardine once we get a gauge of his style and personal life.” However, the crowd was certainly familiar with Jardine, who according to his personal Facebook page had sold out of tickets three days before the show, was the fan favorite of the night.
Jardine, who works as a plasterer outside of boxing, fought through a cascading cut over his right eye, was buzzed by a right hand early, but never took his foot off the gas. The 33-year old applied relentless pressure until he finally broke Krol 35 seconds into the third round.
The elated roar in the crowd was deafening when Krol went down and the upset was sealed.
“I guess I’m the king slayer,” said Jardine after the fight.
Gary Slator vs. Dan Cunningham
Gary Slator looks like a British Brock Lesnar, and kind of fights like one as well. Slator jumped all over the more experienced Cunningham from the opening bell, got buzzed briefly, but came back to finish the fight in the first round.
Slator is a thick, physical, stocky heavyweight with a background in underground bare knuckle pit fighting. The 24-year old has been very open about his battles with mental health, and has found salvation in the world of fighting. With a made-for-TV style, a compelling backstory, and a fairly empty “punch card” at just 24 years of age, Slator could be a fixture on the BKFC UK scene for some time.
All photo's courtesy of BKFC
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