PHOTOS / QUOTES / VIDEO: BKFC HOLDS KNUCKLEMANIA IV LAUNCH PRESS CONFERENCE IN LOS ANGELES
Click Here for Press Conference Photos / Brandon Magpantay, BKFC
Click Here for Press Conference Video / BKFC
Los Angeles, CA (March 20, 2024) Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), The World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion, held the Launch Press Conference on Wednesday in Los Angeles, CA for their promotional debut in California, the highly anticipated KnuckleMania IV event set for Saturday, April 27 at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles.
The press conference was moderated by Actor and TV Host, Mario Lopez.
KnuckleMania IV is headlined by a light heavyweight clash between The Face of Bare-Knuckle Fighting, ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry, (4-0), and former BKFC Middleweight World Champion Thiago Alves, (2-0).
Co-featured, BKFC Heavyweight World Champion Mick Terrill, (7-1), defends his title against BKFC’s #1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter in the World and former Cruiserweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion, Lorenzo ‘The Juggernaut’ Hunt, (11-1).
Additionally, at KnuckleMania IV, undefeated heavyweight ‘Big’ Ben Rothwell, (2-0), clashes with former UFC Star, Todd Duffee. The fight was previously scheduled at BKFC-56 on December 2, 2023 in Salt Lake City, UT.
Also joining the press conference and just added to KnuckleMania IV for his BKFC debut is Mexican Olympian and former Junior Middleweight World Champion Alfredo ‘El Perro’ Angulo.
Below are quotes from the participants at the press conference.
David Feldman, BKFC Founder and President
“It took us a while to get bare knuckle fighting regulated and legal here in California. We’ve got a great relationship with the commissioner, Andy Foster, and he’s welcomed us with open arms. This is going to be an amazing event. The buzz, the ticket sales, the interest around this event has all been historic for us. We’re so excited to be in Los Angeles.”
“We’re building this sport from the ground up and from the top down. From the ground up, we’re doing tryouts and smaller shows around the world. We’re doing fights in nine different countries this year, so we’re expanding globally. From the top down, we’re bringing in world champions from boxing and MMA so they can bring their fans over to see the baddest sport on the planet. This is the most exciting combat sport on the planet, hands down.”
“We have some very special signings that we’re going to announce at KnuckleMania IV, we’re certainly going to have some surprises there.”
“Platinum” Mike Perry
“The King of Violence stays home with me, baby.”
“I’m going to touch you up, I’m going to get in and out. Let’s see what happens after four minutes. Let’s see if you get up off that stool after four minutes.”
“You think you know what you are watching, but you don’t know anything. Everybody’s got a plan until they get punched in the face.”
“If he’s coming for a check, I’m going to break his neck.”
“You could train for boxing for the rest of your life and never be better than me because I was born with the swagger that I bring into the boxing ring.”
“The best thing he’s ever done is lose to Georges St-Pierre, and Georges St-Pierre couldn’t box in there with me either. He wouldn’t even think about coming here. All I know is, when I get in the ring and I tuck my chin, I’m more violent than you, I’m more savage than you, I want to fight more than you. I would’ve never left for two years.”
Thiago “Pitbull” Alves
“I expect a war. Mike is the face of BKFC right now, so he’s an exciting dude to fight. I’m ready, man. I’m ready for this fight; I’m going to be the King of Violence.”
“He’s definitely the face of BKFC right now and he’s been active, but I like my odds. I believe in myself. I believe in my training camp, and I believe in my pedigree. I’m going to go in there April 27 and I’m going to be the King of Violence.”
“Mike is a phenomenal fighter. He’s an exciting dude. I think he’s (expletive) hilarious. It’s a big show. To be able to headline this show against Mike Perry, it’s a great opportunity, so I couldn’t say no.”
“Fans are going to see a beautiful performance by me, putting away the golden boy, Mike Perry.”
Mick Terrill
“I’m going to punch him very hard lots of times. Lorenzo is very explosive. He’s going to be good for two or three minutes, then I’m going to lean on him, I’m going to put him on his back foot, and I’m going to catch you right on your chin. I can’t miss it because your mouth is so big, and I’m going to put you to sleep.”
“Lorenzo, you send telegrams when you throw your punches. Your punches come from about four miles away.
“You're the best at beating up little people. You're a bully. You only spar little people; you don't spar big people.”
Lorenzo ‘The Juggernaut’ Hunt
"Stop the games. Listen. There's a reason I'm here folks. Mick Terrill got lucky and he took the belt overseas with him. I'm here to bring it back home."
"I'm bringing the belt home, it's as simple as that. When Mick Terrill shows up on fight night, he's going to realize that he's in there with the most violent, vicious bare-knuckle fighter in the world. This isn't like back home where you're fighting for crumpets. You're fighting for real money in America, and you might not make it home if you keep running your (expletive) mouth."
"(Being No. 1 on the Pound-for-Pound rankings) means that anybody anywhere in the world that stands in there with me is in more trouble than they've ever been in their life. I have the most wins in BKFC, the most knockouts in BKFC. I am the king of BKFC. The only reason you have that belt is because they gave you the shot before they gave it to me."
"I like beating up big guys. One of my favorite things in the world to do is prove big-mouth fat guys wrong. They think that because they're heavy, they can beat anyone."
“Big” Ben Rothwell
“He’s going to feel my knuckles right now because he brought a scale. I know what he’s up to; he’s trying to talk some fake (expletive).”
“I’m in tremendous shape. I’m really looking forward to this fight. I’m bringing everything this time; I’m not taking him lightly in the slightest.”
“This is a tough sport. Bare knuckle isn’t for everybody, but I do know that him and I are going to put on one hell of a fight. We’re going to set the bar for the two fights after us.”
“My game plan is simple. I’m going in there to beat your (expletive) (expletive), period. He knows it, and I know his game plan is similar. There’s going to be a clash, there’s going to be a lot of blood, and fans are going to love it.”
Todd Duffee
“Nobody wants to fight Ben, but I’m here for you, brother.”
“I’m just focused on Ben. I know what he is, I know who he is, I know what he’s all about, and it’s going to make for an exciting fight. I don’t think he’s afraid of the scale, I don’t think he’s afraid of me … We’re going to hell – that’s where we’re going – and I’ll be in good company.”
“I’m fighting the best in the division. It’s not a secret; he’s the boogeyman of the BKFC. There’s a reason they’re having me fight him. This is a No. 1 contender-style fight, and I fully expect to have a title shot after I win this fight.”
The Peacock Theater is located at 777 Chick Hearn Ct., Los Angeles, CA 90015. For more information visit their website, www.PeacockTheater.com. KnuckleMania IV is sponsored by Forged Irish Stout, Bucked Up, Grunt Style, Fubo Sports, Only Fans, Rasha and Savage Sip Coffee. Advance tickets may be purchased at BKFC.com.
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Since making his BKFC debut at KnuckleMania II with his memorable victory over veteran Julian Lane, Mike Perry has become one of combat sport’s most popular international fighters. With his globally watched fight for the ages sixth-round win over Bellator star Michael ‘Venom’ Page at BKFC-27 in London, England, Perry was minted as a must-see attraction. He cemented that status with popular knockout victories over Luke Rockhold and arch-rival Eddie Alvarez in 2023, the former including a post-victory viral face-off with sports icon Conor McGregor. Upon defeating Alvarez, Perry was also awarded the BKFC King of Violence Title belt.
Thiago Alves also made his successful bare-knuckle debut over veteran Julian Lane at BKFC-12 on September 11, 2022. Spring boarding the win into a world title fight against Uly Diaz at BKFC-18, Alves earned the inaugural BKFC Middleweight World Title when the fight was stopped after the third round.
Lorenzo Hunt kicked off his remarkable 2023 campaign at KnuckleMania III with a stunning first-round knockout of long-time rival Mike Richman on February 17 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Valiantly rising from a hard knockdown to the canvas, Hunt would finish the fight by immediately dropping Richman with his next punch thrown, a blistering left hook to the head. The sequence became an immediate international viral sensation. Decisioning home-town favorite Chris Camozzi in Denver on September 22, 2023, Hunt defended his BKFC Cruiserweight World Title displaying his world class fighting skills in front of a sold-out crowd at the 1ST Bank Center.
Since his bare-knuckle fighting debut in 2016, Mick Terrill has thrilled crowds in the United Kingdom with all of victories coming by knockout. Most recently he stopped former BKFC Heavyweight World Champion Arnold Adams at BKFC-56 on December 2,2023. The fight was a rematch from 2021, the only loss on Terrill’s ledger.
Following a reign of destruction in the UFC’s heavyweight division, ‘Big’ Ben Rothwell scored a first-round knockout of BKFC veteran Bobo O’Bannon at BKFC-30 on October 1, 2022. He followed that up at BKFC-41 with a third-round knockout of Josh Watson in one of the most thrilling heavyweight bare-knuckle fights of the last five years.
After a successful ten-year run in the UFC compiling a record of 9-4 that included six first round knockouts, Todd Duffee makes his long-awaited bare-knuckle debut against the Baddest Man in the Heavyweight Division, ‘Big’ Ben Rothwell.
Additional fights for KnuckleMania IV will be announced shortly.
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Website: www.BKFC.com
Media Contact/Credentials
Bernie Bahrmasel
Double B Sports
Phone: + 1 773 592-2986
Email: Bernie@BKFC.com
Twitter: @BernieBahrmasel
About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is the first promotion allowed to hold a legal, sanctioned, and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. Based in Philadelphia, and headed by President and former professional boxer David Feldman, BKFC is dedicated to preserving the historical legacy of bare knuckle fighting, while utilizing a specifically created rule set that emphasizes fighter safety. BKFC holds all of its bouts in a revolutionary circular four-rope ring, designed to encourage fast-paced and exciting bouts. The patented BKFC “Squared Circle” contains scratch lines, based on the Broughton Rules which governed bare knuckle fighting in the 19th century, and which requires fighters to “Toe the Line”: start every round face to face, and just inches apart.
In BKFC, only those fighters who are established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai are allowed to compete. The referees and judges are required to have extensive professional combat sports experience. All fights are held under the auspices and control of an Athletic Commission. Unlike other fighting organizations and combat sports internationally which claim to be “bare knuckle”, but require wraps, tape, and gauze; BKFC is true to its word as fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands to within one inch of the knuckle. This makes BKFC unquestionably the truest form of bare knuckle fighting. BKFC is dedicated to not just creating the safest, most exciting, and highest-level bare-knuckle fighting organization in the world, it’s also leading the way for a new fully recognized professional combat sport. BKFC is truly the sport of the future, which fully respects its remarkable past.
