JoJo Diaz to make UK bare‑knuckle debut at BKB 60 in Newcastle

Diaz has confirmed he will feature on the BKB 60 bill on Saturday 10 October in Newcastle, facing Brian Hyslop in a super‑lightweight contest at the Utilita Arena. The announcement marks a notable relocation for the 2012 US Olympian, who, despite a long professional boxing career, has never fought on UK soil. Diaz described the trip to Newcastle as a career first and framed the appearance as a new chapter in his move into bare‑knuckle competition.

Diaz moved into bare‑knuckle boxing earlier this year and made an emphatic start at BKB 56 in Los Angeles, stopping Nate Williams in the first round. That result was Diaz’s BKB debut and his most recent fight before his October date in Newcastle. The forthcoming contest at BKB 60 will be one of Diaz’s early appearances since changing code from gloved professional boxing to bare‑knuckle.

A 2012 US Olympian, Diaz has a 45‑fight professional boxing history that includes an IBF super‑featherweight title victory over Tevin Farmer and bouts with high‑profile opponents such as Gary Russell Jr. and Regis Prograis. He also faced Devin Haney, losing in 2021. Diaz’s move into BKB brings a former world titleholder into the organisation’s ranks for the Newcastle show. BKB CEO David Tetreault commented on the signing, saying: “Getting a genuine former world champion like JoJo Diaz to make his first‑ever UK appearance at our first‑ever Newcastle show says everything about where this sport is heading. This is a huge moment for Newcastle and a huge statement for BKB.” The October 10 card is headlined by a BKB super‑welterweight world championship between Rolando Dy and Scott McHugh.