Paulie Malignaggi to Challenge Rolando Dy for BKB Super Welterweight Title in Manchester
Paulie Malignaggi is back! BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing has announced a world title clash at the Super Welterweight level, with former two-division boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi set to challenge reigning champion Rolando Dy on May 16, 2026, in Manchester. The event will broadcast live on talkSPORT in the UK and Ireland, with Vice TV and Telemundo carrying coverage in the United States.
Rolando Dy Defends BKB Title Against Paulie Malignaggi in Manchester Showdown
Malignaggi, 45, returns to the triangular Trigon ring following a split decision victory over Tyler Goodjohn at BKB 47 in Leeds this past October. The bout proved costly for the former IBF junior welterweight and WBA welterweight champion, who fought through a severe eye injury from an accidental poke that left him nearly blind in one eye during the contest. Medical evaluations afterward revealed broken ribs and extensive cuts requiring stitches, with Malignaggi spending hours at Leeds General Hospital following the win.
Despite the physical toll, the Brooklyn native declared his intentions to make history by becoming the first fighter to capture world titles in both traditional boxing and bare knuckle boxing. BKB CEO David Tetreault praised Malignaggi’s debut performance, stating the title fight against Dy represents “the perfect next chapter” as two fighters with “world-class pedigrees” collide.
Dy, 35, captured the BKB Super Welterweight World Championship in December 2025 by defeating previously unbeaten Welsh champion Liam Rees via unanimous decision at BKB 49 in Cardiff. The Filipino fighter, who is the son of former WBC Super Featherweight Champion Rolando Navarrete, scored a knockdown in the second round on his way to victory. Navarrete held the WBC super featherweight title from August 1981 to May 1982, capturing it with a knockout of Cornelius Boza-Edwards.
The challenger brings an MMA background that includes UFC appearances and former Abu Dhabi Warriors featherweight title reign. His bare knuckle record currently stands at 5-1, with all four previous victories coming by knockout or TKO. Dy has expressed confidence in his championship defense, acknowledging Malignaggi’s boxing legacy while asserting that bare knuckle boxing presents a different challenge.
BKB utilizes the patented Trigon, a triangular ring marketed as the smallest combat sports surface. The unique shape forces constant engagement and limits defensive movement, creating an environment that has produced a finish rate approaching 90 percent. Malignaggi demonstrated his ability to adapt to the confined space during the Goodjohn bout, using technical boxing skills and high-volume punching despite the physical constraints.
The broadcast partnership with talkSPORT represents a significant distribution milestone for BKB, with the UK sports broadcaster providing exclusive coverage for the UK and Ireland market. Vice TV carries English-language broadcasts in the United States and Canada, while Telemundo delivers Spanish-language coverage through Telemundo Deportes Ahora. These partnerships have positioned BKB for mainstream growth as the bare knuckle boxing sector gains commercial traction.
Malignaggi‘s pursuit of two-sport championship status would mark a rare achievement in combat sports history. The former world champion held the IBF junior welterweight title from 2007 to 2008 and the WBA welterweight title from 2012 to 2013 during a professional boxing career that spanned 2001 to 2017. His bare knuckle record stands at 1-1 after a loss to Artem Lobov in 2019 preceded the Goodjohn victory.
Dy’s championship reign began less than two months ago, making this his first title defense. The Filipino champion has transitioned fully to bare knuckle boxing after compiling a 14-13 record in MMA, including four UFC bouts in 2017-2018. His father’s championship pedigree adds historical weight to the matchup, with both fighters representing second-generation combat sports competitors.
The Manchester event location has not been officially specified beyond the city, though BKB has recently utilized major UK venues including The O2 in London for its expanding schedule. Ticket information appeared on secondary marketplace platforms indicating Manchester Arena as a potential venue. The organization’s UK expansion follows its 2024 acquisition of London-based BKB, merging the two largest bare knuckle promotions into a single entity.
