Bare knuckle boxing has long been viewed as the final destination for fighters whose best days were behind them. Three former boxing champions may have just changed that.
The trio emerged victorious as BKB made its sold-out Los Angeles debut at The NOVO, with Victor Ortiz, Joseph “JoJo” Diaz and Alfredo Angulo all showing there is meaningful life beyond the traditional ring.
For Ortiz, the victory carried extra significance.
The former WBC welterweight champion told World Boxing News before the event that professional boxing had “stopped giving” him the opportunities he wanted and insisted bare knuckle represented “the original boxing.”
Twenty-four hours later, he backed up those words.
Ortiz overcame Dominic Salcido by unanimous decision over five rounds, showing the toughness and determination that made him one of boxing’s most entertaining champions.
“I wouldn’t say I left boxing because this actually is boxing,” Ortiz told WBN before the fight.
“This is actually the original boxing without gloves, so this is taking it back to old-school boxing, the original form of boxing.”
Victor Ortiz Vindicated
Ortiz also revealed to WBN that boxing had become “irrelevant” to him after opportunities dried up.
“Boxing had been lacking and boxing didn’t give me, so boxing with gloves became something irrelevant to me,” he explained.
“Everybody hides from everybody. Everybody runs from everybody because they want to keep the nice records and stuff.”
His successful BKB debut immediately backed up everything he had told WBN.
Ortiz had also said he wanted to prove accomplished boxing champions could thrive under bare-knuckle rules after Austin Trout’s title reign ended with a knockout defeat.
“I put in the work. I’ve paid the dues and I’m ready,” Ortiz told WBN.
“My hope for the future in BKB would be making history, history that will prevail for many years to come.”
The 39-year-old made a convincing first step toward that goal.
JoJo Diaz Makes Statement
In making the successful transition, Ortiz was not alone.
Former IBF super featherweight champion JoJo Diaz needed only one round to announce himself in BKB, stopping Nate Williams with a crushing body shot.
At just 33 and only weeks removed from his latest professional boxing bout, Diaz hardly fit the stereotype of a fighter making one final stop before retirement.
“I loved it,” Diaz said.
“I’m the type of fighter that likes to bang on the inside and give the fans an action-packed fight.
“The fighters I’ve been boxing in the boxing ring have been moving around. In the Trigon it’s all close quarters so you have to bang it. I feel like this is my home.”
Changing Reputation
Former WBO interim super welterweight champion Alfredo Angulo completed the trio of headline victories by stopping Rashad Bowens after battling through a difficult opening round.
Bare knuckle was once viewed as boxing’s graveyard, a place where aging fighters collected one final payday before fading from the spotlight.
A sold-out arena, major promotional backing and convincing victories for Ortiz, Diaz and Angulo suggested that perception is beginning to change.
For accomplished former champions, bare knuckle is proving to be another career path instead of a final destination.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. World Boxing News has been a trusted source for boxing news, interviews, and analysis since its launch in 2010.
