In boxing, the top-level television boxers generally garner the headlines and bigger purses. The casual fans are usually unaware of the realities, struggles, and lower purses of the average fighter who usually does not fight on television. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) president David Feldman a former professional boxer himself, launched the BKFC June 2, 2018. The events have featured a number of professional boxers since it began including former 2-division world champion Paulie Malignaggi and longtime contender Dat Nguyen. In this very short period of time, the interest level of some professional boxers to join has grown as has the viewership of the events by boxing fans.
Feldman spoke on multiple topics.
Do you come from a boxing background?
Yes, I was a former professional boxer, my brother Damon was as well. My father Marty trained 7 world champions. We have been in boxing since I was born. I promoted the Roy Jones Jr. vs Bobby Gunn cruiserweight title fight in February 2017 under my promotion David Feldman Promotions.
How did you come up with the concept of the BKFC?
One of my boxers I was promoting was an Irish traveler and we started to talk about the bare-knuckle fights they did to solve family disputes. They would bet on them and end the family problems. So, I started to research it. I thought something like this done in a very professional atmosphere with professional fighters would be very appealing. So, I did a show in 2011 in Arizona at a native casino. It went great. 1million viewers and a sold out crowd of 5,000. After that fight I really thought we were on to something.
How has the interest level of professional boxers wanting to join the BFKC for an extended period of time been?
When we first started about two years ago we had little interest from boxers, but now we are getting more and more high-level boxers interested in signing.
Would you say your core audience thus far is more boxing or mixed martial arts?
It was about 80/20 MMA to boxing in the beginning but now it’s more live 60/40 MMA to boxing.
Are there any current mainstream boxers showing interest in signing on with the BFKC?
I have a good amount. Some are former world champions, former amateur standouts, and some contenders right now. A lot of boxers from Russia and the UK as well.
Do you have any network deals in the works?
Yes, but I can’t disclose just yet. We have a few deals we are working on. We just signed a deal in about a dozen countries right now and are working on something big now. We also have our Bare Knuckle Tv app where we air our fights right now. bktvapp.com. Our current broadcast team consists of former UFC legend Chris Lytle,Sean Wheelock, Brian Socia, and Zach Hirsch who is a good young talent that we added to the team. He’s a polished young man that really knows his stuff. Right now we are having him break down the odds. We are going to move him into other broadcasting roles with us in the near future.
What are some of the reasons why a professional boxer might consider making the switch to BFKC?
A few reasons. First, we just had a study put out by Dr Don Muzzi president of the ARP for the ABC, where it says that BKFC has less concussive and sub-concussive injuries, less broken hands, and less facial fractures then Boxing or MMA. The fighters have the opportunity to make more money fighting For BKFC. We pay well. I feel as only the top 5% in boxing will make more money with boxing than with BKFC. It’s a great platform and a great opportunity to make money and get noticed.
Second, we don’t have hundreds of thousands of fighters competing like boxing or MMA, so if you are good you have a better chance of standing out and being a star in our sport then in boxing or MMA, it’s just numbers. The fighters have the opportunity to make more money fighting For BKFC. We pay well. I feel as only the top 5% in boxing will make more money with boxing than with BKFC. It’s a great platform and will be a great opportunity to make money and get noticed. It not just about what they can make right now, but we are just scratching the surface on this. When it takes off they will have the opportunity to make a lot more money with us.
Our local girl Bec “Rowdy” Rawlings has done well with the BKFC
He has a legit point. This is especially the case when boxers see guys like Jake Paul making nearly a million bucks for a fight and Badou Jack making a fraction of that. Guys who aren’t in the top 5% could very well make more in Bareknuckle.
Boxers should show interest in how invest their money.
Just wondering – Where does one draw the line where money is able to attract more and more violent types of combat sports?
I honestly don’t like it. This is no longer a sport but pure street fighting- by the time their career is done they will look like the Goonies Monster.
Hey you guys…
Yep, don’t like this trend, this need, for more brutal types of combat fights happening. What’s next – have two street fighters having a knife fight in the ring? Ok, I’m exaggerating the point, but why have this?
David was 4-1 as a professional boxer and his brother Damon I believe was 9-0. Why’d they stop boxing? Also, these bare knuckle fights/fighters are tough as nails. Mad respect for anyone getting into that ring. I’m sure that sport will get bigger and bigger.
BKFC is misspelled throughout the article. Also I would like to see this medical study. These guys seem to get their faces torn up every fight and their hands are effed. I am interested to see about the brain injuries.
I would be willing to bet the brain injuries and concussions are far less than in professional boxing. In pro boxing you wrap your hands first then put on a tight ass glove. This makes the impact substantially worse and you can punch harder more often because your hands don’t hurt. I don’t know what this guy is talking about in regards to less broken hands and less injuries. Like you said, their faces are busted up and their hands will most certainly break easier. I boxed as a amateur super heavyweight for 12 years and never once hurt my hands in training or fighting. Got into an argument and had to defend myself and the first punch I landed was an uppercut while the guy was leaning forward. Hit him right in the forehead and my index finger knuckle bone literally crumpled up and fractured. This was over ten years ago and my hand has never been the same. Can’t even make a fist for the first hour or so after waking up. So for this guy to try to tell me it’s safer makes me think he’s full of shit.
Dempsey authored several books that offer insights into street fighting. Championship Boxing I recall has some great illustrations on how he delivered the punch with his fists. Dempsey was a tough street fighter and late in life knocked out two muggers. The old timers I knew had very little hand damage. Soaked their hands in brime etc., also their face. Very good at parrying a punch, slipping and delivering a punch to areas that did not present bone mass. Sorry about your hand.
All the best David. Very happy for your success. Your dad would be so proud.
Rick
This is OK – I’ve gotten most of the PPVs so far.
BUT I’ve been holding out for some real no holds barred stuff. Real tough guys. But controlled = 5 x 5 min rounds the tried and tested MMA format.
First round boxing.
Second round kick boxing
Third round UFC rules
Forth round no rules.
Fifth round a small forearm sized weapon – (could be traditional like a Karate Tonfa or a police baton).
The ref only works inside the ring for the first 3 rounds. After that it’s on!!!!
A challenge for True warrior athletes that want to test the limits of fighting and entertainment. I can’t see why it wouldn’t be a massive Sucess.
“I can’t see why it wouldn’t be a massive success”. Probably because lawsuits and people getting beat with a police baton. One swing to the face from a baton and you are going to be severely fucked up. That being said, I’d totally watch haha
Why hasn’t bobby gunn been fighting
Remember the movie “the Gladiator” with Russell Crowe? They had Crowe fighting another person with a chained tiger in the mix. I bet that could attract a hungry audience. Any takers? I’m only kidding since this stuff is getting out of control.
Best TV show in years was Man Versus Bear. I tuned in hoping to see a man fighting a bear like the PPV from several years ago. But instead it was stuff like running and pulling things versus a bear. Still good because at any minute the bear could turn bear and just rip the contestant to pieces. Never got close which is probably a good thing as there were some female contestants – boxers and MMA fighters