LAS VEGAS – Big Knockout Boxing (BKB), the newest and most aggressive form of boxing’s sweet science, today announced multi-fight agreements with five fighters across various weight classes. The signings underscore BKB’s goal of developing a stable of talented young fighters with natural fighting styles that align with BKB’s emphasis on high-intensity, toe-to-toe boxing action. 

The boxers signed include:

·      Javier Garcia (10-3-2, 1-0/BKB) – American light welterweight and current BKB Welterweight Champion, fighting out of Oxnard, California

·      Khurshid Abdullaev (6-1-1, 1-0/BKB) – Russian light middleweight fighting out of Oxnard, California

·      Anthony Johnson (8-0, 1-0/BKB) – American cruiserweight and current BKB Cruiserweight Champion fighting out of San Jose, California

·      Herbert Acevedo (11-2, 1-0/BKB) – American light welterweight fighting out of Garden City, Kansas

All five fighters participated in BKB’s debut event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in August, with all five delivering the all-out, toe-to-toe action BKB promises and coming away victorious.

BKB’s agreements ensure each fighter will compete in up to three BKB events, including the next scheduled fight night, set to take place in spring, 2015.

“BKB’s long-term sustainability will depend on our ability to develop a base of young talented fighters who embody the aggressive, action-packed fighting style that BKB is all about,” said Bruce Binkow, executive director for BKB. “These five fighters represent the first steps in developing that stable of talented and marketable young fighters. It will be exciting to watch them develop in the unique close-range offensive and defensive techniques that are required when fighting in The Pit.”

In addition to signing and developing young talent, BKB also remains focused on signing proven veterans to establish more prominent main event matchups and round out the fight cards for each of its events.

Developed by a team of industry veterans and sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, BKB features shorter and fewer rounds with a significantly smaller fighting space, referred to as “The Pit.” With no ropes and no corners, The Pit forces offense, and offers nowhere to hide. This unique format is designed to deliver a higher level of intensity, maximum action and knockouts, all of which have been declining with conventional boxing.

BKB fighters use 8- and 10-ounce boxing gloves, with size varying, depending on the weight class. BKB rounds last two minutes in comparison to boxing’s three-minute rounds and MMA’s five-minute rounds, and fight durations vary between five-rounds (for non-championship bouts) and seven-rounds (for championship bouts).

The most noticeable difference between BKB and conventional boxing is its emphasis on close-range boxing techniques and precision punching. With shorter rounds and little room to maintain distance from opponents, fighters simply can’t afford to be inaccurate or careless in The Pit.