The boxing world is beginning to see multiple fighters or retired fighters transitioning to bare-knuckle boxing, but not all of them are successful.
From Canelo‘s former foe Austin Trout becoming a bare-knuckle champion to Jack Cullen moving to BKFC recently, to Anthony Joshua‘s old opponent Dorian Darch making a career in bare-knuckle, it’s clear that the sport is appealing for boxers looking for something new.
As female boxer Hannah Rankin learned just a couple months ago, having been a boxer before doesn’t guarantee any success, as she was knocked out and left on the canvas.
Another fighter, a former Olympian, learned this lesson the hard way, too.
Frankie Gavin knocked out in 40 seconds on bare-knuckle debut
Frankie Gavin was a 2008 Olympian, and Great Britain’s best hope of a medal owing to his decorated amateur experience. Issues with making weight made him unable to compete, though he went on to turn pro, with mixed results.
Gavin amassed a 26-4 record, and won the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles on multiple occasions, once against Bradley Skeete, who lost controversially to Hamzah Sheeraz.
Gavin once challenged 34-0 Kell Brook for the world title but was stopped in the sixth round.
The Olympian retired from boxing in 2018, but returned to combat sports via bare-knuckle last night, making his debut against a 3-1 opponent.
Gavin was obliterated in just 40 seconds, and was sent straight to the canvas.
Deontay Wilder adamant he’d never move to bare-knuckle
In an interview with Ariel Helwani and Ade Oladipo, Deontay Wilder, who failed to impress despite scoring a KO in his comeback, stated he would be open to a move to MMA, but would not consider bare-knuckle boxing.
“If it’s a 4oz glove or something like that, I’m all in. I ain’t going bare-knuckle. You put the 4oz on, you gonna have to sign a lot of other different contracts.”
Wilder may move to MMA, but has just gained his first victory since 2022, as he stopped Tyrrell Herndon in round seven, and seems set to stay in boxing.