Two new champions means two new challengers that need to be found.
BYB 32 would see the crowning of two new champions under the merged BYB and BKB banner. Harry Gigliotti would stop former BKB standout Joe Fitzpatrick with a nasty body shot against the ropes, earning him his first world title in bare knuckle after just three fights. In the main event, 16 fight BKB veteran Scott McHugh would look to add another world title to his collection when he faced off with Liam Rees who was making only his fourth walk to a bare knuckle ring. After a spirited fire fight, Rees would land a straight right hand flooring McHugh picking up a second round knockout and like Gigliotti, his first world title.
But as the old adage goes, you aren’t the champion until you defend it. And here are a few options on who the first defence could be for our new champions. Keep in mind, these were vacant titles to begin with, and the divisions themselves aren’t filled with a large number of contenders, it's very possible a big name free agent gets signed, or more names from BKB who haven't officially signed under the new banner yet.
Harry Gigliotti - BYB Super Lightweight Champion
Gigiliotti was originally supposed to face Josh Oxendine, at BYB 32 to begin with, but was then replaced with Fitzpatrick and the world title was added to the bout. Obviously some unfinished business between the two makes it a slam dunk for the champs first defence. However, Oxendine is now scheduled to face off with Jarod Grant. Grant himself is an accomplished fighter although most of his work has come well under the 140-lb. super lightweight limit. However when he dropped down to 125 to face BKFC champion John Dodson he suffered one of his only bare knuckle losses so he could be looking to move up rather than back down. The winner of this bout is definitely worth watching out for a potential challenger to Gigliotti.
Although Jon Barnard is likely the next lightweight title challenger, he has been eager to get back into the Trigon, and he may snap at a chance to hop in with Gigliotti. This would be a fight you’d need to watch on half speed because both of these guys are so fast.
Photo Courtesy of BYB.
Liam Rees - BYB Super Welterweight Champion
While his record might not look pretty on paper, Aaron McCallum is one of the toughest bare knuckles out there. He is a former champion himself, and gave Scott McHugh one heck of a fight in the final BKB show. But before he can lay claim to being the first challenger of Rees’ title he has a matchup with Martin McDonough. McDonough made his bare knuckle debut at BYB 30 in his home country of Wales winning by KO in the first round. If he can get the jump on McCallum, there’s no reason why he couldn’t fight for the title. If you're going to bring up the fact he only has two fights, the champ himself only had three fights when he stopped veteran McHugh.
The other option is a tall task. BK Nations #3 Pound for Pound fighter Lorawnt-t “Smash” Nelson. Already a two division champion, LT has told me on multiple occasions that he can make the 154-lb. limit and wants to win another world title. Maybe it’s not next up, but down the road this one is definitely worth a second look.
While this is clearly speculation, BYB has been cooking since the merger and whoever they put in with these new champions will be can’t miss action.
Top Photo Courtesy of BYB.
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