London, UK – December 30, 2025 – BKB Naked Knuckle Boxing at the moment introduced the acquisition of Unhealthy To The Bone (BTTB), the longest-running impartial bare-knuckle promotion in the UK. This strategic transfer additional solidifies BKB’s place because the dominant pressure in bare-knuckle boxing, uniting elite expertise and increasing its footprint within the UK.
BKB Naked Knuckle Boxing, the fastest-growing and main fighter-first group in skilled bare-knuckle boxing, has constructed its status on prioritizing the welfare, improvement, and alternatives of its athletes above all else. This dedication to a fighter-first philosophy continues to drive BKB’s fast international enlargement and dominant place within the sport. Based and led by Stefan Hanks for eight years, BTTB shares the identical fighter-first ethos, making this acquisition a pure and highly effective match that strengthens BKB’s place even additional.
As a part of the settlement, BKB has accomplished a full reorganization of its UK enterprise, together with the addition of recent personnel beneath the path of Joe Brown, who now serves because the Managing Director of BKB UK. Stefan Hanks will be part of BKB on a long-term contract as UK Chief Working Officer (COO) and lead matchmaker. On this twin function, Hanks will report back to Joe Brown on all UK operations and to Mel Valenzuela, Head of International Combat Operations and Matchmaking for BKB, on all matchmaking issues.
Hanks brings intensive experience and a deep ardour for the game, and his management will probably be instrumental in driving BKB’s ongoing enlargement in the UK.
This newest acquisition builds on BKB’s historical past of strategic development. Initially based in 2015 as BYB Excessive Preventing Sequence in South Florida by Mike Vazquez and Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris, the promotion pioneered trendy skilled bare-knuckle boxing in the USA. On Might 8, 2024, BYB acquired the unique UK-based Naked Knuckle Boxing (BKB) promotion – the world’s first skilled bare-knuckle group, additionally based in 2015. This merger united American and British bare-knuckle traditions, making a unified international entity with the most important roster, battle library, and worldwide attain within the sport. In February 2025, the group rebranded to BKB Naked Knuckle Boxing to replicate this mixed legacy.
BKB continues its fast development beneath CEO David Tetreault, a veteran media and leisure government with over 30 years of expertise. Tetreault, who beforehand served as Chief Enterprise Officer at Golden Boy Promotions (negotiating main broadcast offers with ESPN, HBO, and DAZN) and held management roles at Triller Combat Membership and BKFC, joined BKB in 2025 to information its enlargement right into a premier fight sports activities property.
Proprietor of BKB Naked Knuckle Boxing, Mike Vazquez, mentioned: “This acquisition marks one other thrilling chapter in BKB’s journey to unite the very best of bare-knuckle boxing worldwide. By bringing BTTB’s proficient fighters into the BKB household, we’re strengthening our roster and honoring the legacy Stefan has created.
Along with Stefan main as UK COO and matchmaker, we’re set to ship even greater, extra thrilling occasions throughout the UK and past.”
David Tetreault, CEO of BKB Naked Knuckle Boxing, mentioned: “The addition of Unhealthy To The Bone is a pure evolution for BKB as we proceed to develop the game globally. Stefan Hanks has constructed a fighter-first promotion that’s delivered high-level motion and developed actual expertise for years. We’re excited to combine their rising stars into our Trigon, and placing them on the largest potential phases with our upcoming occasions in main venues like The O2, Wembley Area, and Manchester Area. With Stefan on board long-term, 2026 will probably be our most bold yr but – extra exhibits, extra fights, and extra alternatives to showcase why bare-knuckle boxing is the purest and most enjoyable type of fight sports activities.”
Stefan Hanks, Founding father of Unhealthy To The Bone and incoming UK COO and Matchmaker for BKB, mentioned:
“Unhealthy To The Bone has all the time been about placing fighters first and delivering the very best bare-knuckle motion potential. Becoming a member of forces with BKB seems like the right subsequent step to raise our sport even additional. I’m happy with the legacy we’ve constructed over eight years and thrilled to convey our champions and expertise to the worldwide BKB stage.”
Waiting for 2026, BKB is ready to ship an unprecedented schedule within the UK, with main occasions deliberate at iconic venues together with The O2 in London, Wembley Area, and Manchester Area. It will mark the busiest yr in BKB’s historical past, with extra exhibits and extra fights than ever earlier than, showcasing an expanded roster of elite bare-knuckle athletes within the patented Trigon ring.
