Former Champs in Bare Knuckle Bout!
Boxing fans lit up social media today as it was announced that former boxing champions Victor Ortiz (33-7-3, 25 KOs) and Paulie Malignaggi (36-8, 7 KOs) will be facing each other in a BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing showdown on December 5 in Los Angeles.Yep. “Vicious” Victor Ortiz versus Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi will be the main event at the Orpheum Theater in downtown LA! The two gladiators will lock horns in five rounds in this super welterweight clash. And, no, they will NOT be fighting in a squared ring–they will be squaring off in a smaller three-sided ring known as the “Trigon,” guaranteeing an all-action collision.
BKB’s motto is “Take the Gloves Off!” and Ortiz, 39, and Malignaggi, 45, will both be ready to bare-knuckle battle in what should be a mega war between the two boxing stars. USA TODAY Sports’ Josh Peter made the official announcement with BKB’s CEO David Tetreault confirming this December 5 marquee matchup.
Former World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Ortiz made began his BKB career in July (with a win over Dominic Salcido) and former (International Boxing Federation) IBF champ Malignaggi made his BKB debut in 2025.The BKB fights have been gaining a lot of traction with fans enjoying all the brutal and bloody action that the Trigon offers. With its triangular design and no four corners (like in a traditional boxing ring), there really is nowhere to hide and nowhere to escape. But that’s probably irrelevant as it’s not likely that the boxing veterans in Ortiz and Malignaggi would choose anything other than mano a mano, toe to toe.
Several other high profile fighters and ex-champs have also joined the BKB stable including Fernando Vargas Jr., Amado Vargas, Jojo Diaz. Alfredo Angulo, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Lee Selby. Hank Lundy, Roberto Duran Jr., Sharif Rahman and more. With frequent live fights and the opportunity to show their skills in the Trigon, many pro boxers have been joining the ranks at BKB. And now Malignaggi vs. Ortiz will headline on Saturday, December 5.
Fight fans are anticipating a good fight between these two entertaining warriors. Victor Ortiz has remained active in boxing circles in Southern California, often attending boxing shows, community events, gym workouts, regularly attending church services and mentoring others. Always friendly and down to earth, Victor is still a fan favorite. With wife Hailie and a doting dad to three sons, the former boxing titleholder now hopes to continue his legacy in combat sports and a new career in BKB.
Ortiz vs. Malignaggi on December 5. Will you be watching?
Photos by Michele Chong