Cub Hawkins Scores Comeback KO as BKB Crowns Two Champions at Foxwoods DebutCub Hawkins Survives Knockdowns to Score Stunning KO at BKB Connecticut Debut

Bare knuckle action delivered in dramatic fashion as BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing made its Connecticut debut with a thrilling night of fights on March 28 at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

A sold-out crowd witnessed multiple highlight-reel finishes, the crowning of two new champions, and another dominant performance from one of the sport’s most exciting young stars as fighters from around the world descended on Mashantucket.

Cub Hawkins Turns the Fight Around in Main Event

In the main event, reigning light heavyweight champion Cub Hawkins showed incredible resilience to retain his title.

“The Savage,” widely regarded as the most successful fighter in BKB’s patented Mighty Trigon, improved his record to 10-1 with nine knockouts after scoring a dramatic third-round knockout victory over Canadian veteran Jesse Ronson.

The bout nearly slipped away early when Ronson dropped Hawkins three times in the second round. But the 28-year-old champion regrouped, rallied back, and finished the fight in the third round to remain the division’s king.

Yampier Ramirez Captures Featherweight Title

One of the promotion’s fastest-rising stars, Cuban phenom Yampier Ramirez, continued his perfect run.

The 22-year-old knockout artist improved to 4-0 with four KOs, capturing the vacant BKB Featherweight Championship with a second-round TKO over previously unbeaten Welsh fighter Ash Williams.

Ramirez’s explosive performance further cemented his status as one of the most promising young fighters in bare-knuckle boxing.

Julian Fernandez Makes History

History was also made on the main card when undefeated Mexican standout Julian Fernandez delivered a devastating first-round knockout against England’s Alex Wilson.

The victory crowned Fernandez as the BKB Super Cruiserweight Champion and made him the first Mexican male fighter to win a bare knuckle world title in the promotion.

Action-Packed Card Delivers Multiple Finishes

The Connecticut debut card delivered fireworks from start to finish.

Massachusetts fighter Greg Bono impressed in his BKB debut, defeating Matt Denning via second-round TKO.

In another exciting bout, Bekhzod Usmonov outlasted Luis Guerrero in a gritty battle that ended with a second-round TKO.

Fans were also treated to a slugfest when Armus Guyton stopped Ozzie Alvarez with a second-round knockout.

Elsewhere on the card:

• Zion Tomlinson defeated Zach Calmus via corner stoppage in round two.
• Ryan Venable earned a five-round unanimous decision over Brandon Desrosier in his bare knuckle debut.
• Taylor Bull scored a highlight-reel first-round knockout against Bubba McDaniel.
• Former heavyweight champion DJ Linderman spoiled the BKB debut of Braxton Smith with a corner stoppage after round three.
• Rising heavyweight Jesse Sparks made a huge statement, knocking out Hassan Graham in just 19 seconds.

With dramatic finishes and historic title wins, BKB’s first event in Connecticut proved to be a major success, showcasing the brutal excitement that continues to make bare knuckle boxing one of the fastest-growing combat sports.

• Hawkins def. Ronson — KO (Round 3)
• Ramirez def. Williams — TKO (Round 2)
• Fernandez def. Wilson — KO (Round 1)
• Bono def. Denning — TKO (Round 2)
• Usmonov def. Guerrero — TKO (Round 2)
• Guyton def. Alvarez — KO (Round 2)
• Tomlinson def. Calmus — Corner Stoppage
• Venable def. Desrosier — Unanimous Decision (5)
• Bull def. McDaniel — KO (Round 1)
• Linderman def. Smith — Corner Stoppage (End of Round 3)
• Sparks def. Graham — TKO (Round 1)

Photo Credit: BKB