Leeds, UK – October 6, 2025 – A seismic collision of combat sports titans is set to electrify the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England, as boxing icon Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi returns to the bare knuckle arena to face former BKB World Featherweight Champion Tyler “El Tornado” Goodjohn in the main event of BKB 47 on October 18. Originally slated for September, the event was rescheduled due to a minor training injury to Malignaggi, heightening anticipation for this clash of world-class pedigrees that promises to redefine bare knuckle history.
Malignaggi’s boxing career is a dazzling tapestry of elite battles. The Brooklyn showman, armed with blistering hand speed and surgical precision, claimed the IBF junior welterweight title in 2007 with a masterclass against Lovemore N’dou, defending it with flair. He went to war in Madison Square Garden against Puerto Rican legend Miguel Cotto, traded leather with British superstars Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan, and stood tall against welterweight giants like Adrien Broner, Juan Diaz, and a prime Shawn Porter. With a 36-8 record, including 7 knockouts, Malignaggi’s slick defense, pinpoint jabs, and magnetic charisma made him a global sensation in and out of the ring.
In 2019, Malignaggi tested bare knuckle waters, facing MMA veteran Artem Lobov in a heated BKFC grudge match sparked by his infamous sparring fallout with Conor McGregor, resulting in a unanimous decision loss. Now, at 44, he’s back with a vengeance, signing a three-fight deal with BKB in June 2025 to chase the historic Police Gazette Diamond Belt and cement his legacy as a two-sport world champion.
Paulie Malignaggi said: “I’ve been out for a while. Tyler is a former world champion. At one time, Tyler was the premier name in the bare knuckle sport. His name resonates, grips, and sells in this sport. This is going to be one hell of a fight.”
Standing in his way is Tyler Goodjohn, the former BKB World Featherweight Champion whose relentless pressure and battle-hardened grit have earned him multiple “Fight of the Night” honors and a lasting legacy in the sport. With a 5-3 BKB record and a 13-6 professional boxing resume as a former English Super Lightweight Champion and National ABA Champion, Goodjohn returned in April 2025 with a commanding unanimous decision over Joe Smith in Cardiff.
Tyler Goodjohn said: “This fight is massive. Paulie is a very good boxer – you can’t take that away from him. He has a very good jab. In bareknuckle you can win the fight on the jab – you can split someone’s face on the jab. To be able to take that jab away from him is what wins me this fight. I want to cement my legacy and that means fighting big names like Paulie.”
The co-main event sees Zagreb’s Marko Martinjak (11-2, 11 KOs), the reigning BKB Super Cruiserweight champion and BoxRec’s top-ranked cruiserweight, challenge Birmingham’s Dan Podmore (8-3, 7 KOs) for the BKB Bridgerweight title, aiming to become only the second fighter in BKB history to hold two division titles simultaneously.
Leeds’ own Scott McHugh (13-5), a bare knuckle icon, returns to his hometown seeking redemption after a loss to Liam Rees in his last local outing. He faces Belfast’s Joe Fitzpatrick, the 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medalist.
Scot McHugh said: “Leeds roars like no other – I’m fueled to deliver for my city.”
