NEWCASTLE — Former world champion Joseph 'JoJo' Diaz Jr. is set to make his United Kingdom debut at BKB 60 on Saturday, October 10. The 33-year-old southpaw, who transitioned to bare-knuckle boxing earlier this year with a first-round knockout victory over Nate Williams, will face Brian Hyslop in a super-lightweight contest at the Utilita Arena.
The bout marks a significant career milestone for the 2012 US Olympian, who has never competed on British soil despite a professional boxing career spanning 45 fights. “I’ve fought all over the States and in Mexico, but I’ve never stepped into a ring in the UK, not once in my whole career,” Diaz said. “Newcastle is going to be the first, and I’m doing it bare knuckle. This is a new chapter for me and I want the fans here to see exactly what a world champion looks like up close.”
BKB CEO David Tetreault highlighted the significance of the signing for the organization's expansion into the region. “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,” Tetreault said. The event, which serves as BKB's debut in Newcastle, is headlined by a super-welterweight world championship fight between Rolando Dy and Scott McHugh.