Tyson Fury BKB Cameo Shows Bare Knuckle's Growth

Tyson Fury's appearance at a bare knuckle boxing event last month shows how far the sport has come, according to one of BKB's champions.

Julian Fernandez defends his super cruiserweight title against Dan Podmore at BKB 59 in Tijuana on September 19th. The Mexican fighter told Bare Knuckle Bowker that Fury showing up at the Miami card on August 29th meant something to the entire roster. "He's very proud to be part of and a champion of bare knuckle boxing," Fernandez said, per BJPenn.com. "It makes him very excited and proud as well when he saw Tyson Fury up there, one of the best heavyweights of all time."

Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz will be cageside for Saturday's event, which marks BKB's first show in Mexico. Fernandez, who holds a national boxing title in addition to his bare knuckle belt, said the presence of high-profile boxers like Fury and Ruiz reflects the promotion's growth. BKB's roster now includes veterans Victor Ortiz and Alfredo Angulo.

Fernandez fights Podmore, a four-time BKB champion across three divisions, for the Police Gazette diamond championship. The Mexican said he was excited about Ruiz attending but remained locked in on the threat ahead of him.