Bare Knuckle Boxing’s next event will take place on September 19 in Tijuana for BKB 59. It’s the promotion’s first event in Mexico and BKB’s partnership with Zanfer Promotions helped to facilitate what Zanfer head Fernando Beltran called “the start of something big for bare knuckle boxing in Mexico.” BKB CEO David Tetreault says his promotion will “plant our flag in Mexico.”
That’s a huge statement and the promotion is coming out with a card headlined by Mexico native and BKB Super Cruiserweight World Champion Julian Fernandez. He defends his title against Dan Podmore, while Cecy Ulloa faces Andy Nguyen for the vacant BKB Super Flyweight World Championship.
With BKB’s recent TikTok success and the move into a new market, there’s a buzz around the upcoming show. Will the fighters and the promotion hold up their end of the bargain to put on a memorable event? Let’s talk bare knuckle boxing.
BKB 59 Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | BKB 59 |
| Date | Saturday, September 19, 2026 |
| Venue | Auditorio Municipal de Tijuana, Tijuana, Mexico |
| Significance | BKB’s first event in Mexico |
| Promotional partner | Zanfer Promotions |
| Partnership announced | July 1, 2026 |
| Main event | Julian Fernandez vs. Dan Podmore, BKB Super Cruiserweight World Championship |
| Co-main | Cecy Ulloa vs. Andy Nguyen, vacant BKB Super Flyweight World Championship |
| Fernandez record | 3-0 bare knuckle, 2-0 in BKB |
| Podmore record | 9-4, former three-division BKB champion |
| Tickets | Arema.mx |
| Start time | Not announced |
| Broadcast | Not announced |
BKB announced the Zanfer deal on July 1 with the September 19 date already attached. Zanfer is Latin America’s leading boxing promoter, and BKB framed the agreement as opening a new region for broadcast distribution, sponsorship and live event business rather than a one-off show. Fernandez is 32, fights out of Tijuana and is 3-0 in bare knuckle without ever going the distance. Podmore is 9-4 and has held BKB titles in three divisions.
Fernandez recently re-signed with the promotion and he is being strategically placed at the head of the BKB 59 card where he figures to have a strong following.
BKB 59 Announced Card
Card per BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing. Supporting bouts are still being added.
| Bout | Division | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Julian Fernandez (3-0) vs. Dan Podmore (9-4) | Super cruiserweight | BKB Super Cruiserweight World Championship |
| Cecy Ulloa (2-1) vs. Andy Nguyen (1-1) | Super flyweight | Vacant BKB Super Flyweight World Championship |
| Remaining bouts | To be announced |
More Bare Knuckle Coverage
Who BKB Has Signed in Recent Months
Roster additions via The Ring.
| Fighter | Boxing credential |
|---|---|
| Paulie Malignaggi | Former two-division world champion |
| Victor Ortiz | Former WBC welterweight champion |
| Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. | Former IBF super featherweight champion |
| Alfredo Angulo | Former WBO interim light middleweight champion |
| Yuriorkis Gamboa | Olympic gold medalist and former unified champion |
| Lee Selby | Former IBF featherweight champion |
| Lucas Browne | Former WBA heavyweight champion |
| Hank Lundy | Former title challenger |
| John Molina Jr. | Former title challenger |
| Fernando Vargas Jr. | Son of Fernando Vargas |
| Amado Vargas | Son of Fernando Vargas |
I’ll have results and reactions following this event.
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