Paulie Malignaggi is back! BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing has announced a world title bout at super welterweight level, with former two-division boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi set to challenge reigning champion Rolando Dy on May 16, 2026 in Manchester. The event will be broadcast live on talkSPORT in the UK and Ireland, with Vice TV and Telemundo reporting in the US.
Rolando Dy defends BKB title against Paulie Malignaggi in Manchester Showdown
Despite the physical toll, the Brooklyn native declared his intention to make history by becoming the first fighter to capture world titles in both traditional and bare-knuckle boxing. BKB CEO David Tetreault praised Malignaggi’s debut performance, stating that the title fight against Dy represents “the perfect next chapter” as two fighters with “world-class pedigrees” collide.
Dy, 35, captured the BKB Super Welterweight World Championship in December 2025 by defeating previously undefeated Welsh champion Liam Rees by unanimous decision at BKB 49 in Cardiff. The Filipino fighter, the son of former WBC Super Featherweight champion Rolando Navarrete, scored a second-round knockdown en route to victory. Navarrete held the WBC super featherweight title from August 1981 to May 1982, capturing it with a knockout of Cornelius Boza-Edwards.
The challenger brings an MMA background that includes UFC appearances and former Abu Dhabi Warriors featherweight title reign. His record currently stands at 5-1, with all four previous wins coming via knockout or TKO. Dy has expressed confidence in his championship defense, acknowledging Malignaggi’s boxing legacy while claiming bare-knuckle boxing presents a different challenge.
BKB uses the patented Trigon, a triangular ring marketed as the smallest martial arts surface. The unique shape forces constant engagement and limits defensive movement, creating an environment that delivers a near 90 percent finish rate. Malignaggi demonstrated his ability to adapt to limited space during the Goodjohn fight, utilizing technical boxing skills and high volume punches despite the physical limitations.
The broadcast partnership with talkSPORT represents a significant distribution milestone for BKB, with the British sports broadcaster providing exclusive coverage for the UK and Irish markets. Vice TV provides English-language broadcasts in the United States and Canada, while Telemundo provides Spanish-language coverage through Telemundo Deportes Ahora. These partnerships have positioned BKB for mainstream growth as the bare-knuckle boxing sector gains commercial traction.
Malignaggi’s pursuit of two-sport championship status would be a rare feat in combat sports history. The former world champion held the IBF junior welterweight title from 2007 to 2008 and the WBA welterweight title from 2012 to 2013 during a professional boxing career that spanned from 2001 to 2017. His record stands at 1-1 after a loss to Artem Lobov in 2019 preceded Goodjohn’s win.
Dy’s championship reign began less than two months ago, making this his first title defense. The Filipino champion has transitioned completely to bare-knuckle boxing after amassing a 14-13 record in MMA, including four UFC fights in 2017-2018. His father’s championship pedigree adds historic weight to the match, with both fighters representing second-generation martial arts competitors.
The Manchester event venue has not been officially specified outside the city, although BKB has recently used major UK venues, including The O2 in London, for its expansion scheme. Ticket information appeared on secondary market platforms indicating the Manchester Arena as a potential venue. The expansion of the organization into the UK follows the 2024 acquisition of London-based BKB, which combines the two largest bare-fist promotions into one entity.
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