“A Belt Is What I've Wanted My Whole Life” Josh Byrne Fired Up For His First Title Fight

Press Release: March 1, 2025 By Dragon Fire Boxing - On March 14, Dragon Fire Boxing Promotions hits the Metro City nightclub for the first time this year for Thunderdome 49.

 

Credit: Mike O'Hara

In the main event, Undefeated prospect Jude Grant takes on his first international opponent when he fights Shi Hong Jun of China.  

 

Before the headliner, Jude’s training partner Josh Byrne has his first shot at a state championship against Habib Kheirkhah.

 

When asked what it felt like to get the call for the title shot, Byrne stated that he was excited to complete one of his boxing goals so quickly.

“When I got the call about fighting for the state title I was stoked” Byrne said. “It's what I've wanted all the way since amateurs, I've never actually won a belt.

“I've always got a medal or a trophy, but a belt is what I've wanted my whole life and I'm going to make it happen.”

In his last fight Byrne fought Bima Prokosar, in what was an action-packed encounter.

Although he came out victorious with a lopsided decision, the Aussie feels that there were still lessons to take away from his performance, mainly regarding the communication with his corner.

“I feel that I need to listen to the corner a bit more” Byrne revealed.

“[My coaches] can see a lot more about what's going on than what I can, they were telling me to go more to the body and at the time it didn't really come across.

“When I sat back and went through the fight with them, they said ‘you need to open your ears a bit more and listen to us because we can see a lot more than what you can.’

“I feel that I will definitely improve on that in this fight and hopefully I'll come away with a knockout.”

In what is said to be the biggest fight of his young career so far, Byrne will fight Habib Kheirkhah. An aggressive fighter who has had experience fighting the best that Big Rigs gym has to offer, having fought Jordan LaRuccia, Jude Grant and Joel Lewis.

 

With the experience from his teammates, Byrne has said that he has been given pointers regarding how to approach the match up.

“From everything that I’ve been told, he's a very forward guy” Byrne told. “I expect him to bring the action to me and I know I will match that.”

The advice given to Byrne is amongst the best in WA, as it has recently been announced that Jude Grant could be fighting in the WBC Grand Prix, a tournament designed to find the next big star in boxing.

Although the teenager has limited experience in the sport with a 2-0 record, he looks up to his training partners and uses their early success as inspiration to go as far as he can.

“I would love to fight in something like the Grand Prix.” Byrne said “I've been speaking to Tony [Tolj] about it, but I just don’t have quite enough experience yet.

“Something like that will definitely happen once I get a few more fights under my belt.”

With the right training partners and coaches around him, Josh Byrne is an exciting local prospect and perhaps will be involved in a high stakes tournament of his own within the next two to three years.

Material Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing/ Photo Courtesy of: Mike O'Hara - Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission.

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Chapter 2 Belongs To Bivol

One of the benefits to the sport of Boxing over the last couple of years as the sport has expanded into new markets including several events now regularly taking place in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has been not only bouts of significant interest taking place with seemingly less red tape than is the norm, but also rematches of those bouts occurring in a more streamlined way than what is normally the case. In recent times, it was the Undisputed Heavyweight championship of the world in 2024 between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Uysk, first to determine an undisputed champion, then the rematch in December of last year. Two fights that saw Usyk emerge victorious.

Another undisputed championship that was also staged in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in October of last year was the encounter between undefeated world champions Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol met to determine a sole champion in the 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division. In a highly competitive bout that saw several shifts in momentum throughout, it was Beterbiev that emerged victorious via a twelve round majority decision to become the Undisputed Light-Heavyweight champion of the world. Four months later, in a similar timeframe to the timeline of the Usuk-Fury rematch, the time for the Beterbiev-Bivol rematch on February 22nd back in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The first encounter between the two was almost a virtual standstill in terms of who had the upper hand in a fight that could have gone either way. Bivol seeming to do more in the early rounds and outworking Beterbiev, and then Beterbiev rallied in the middle and late rounds to narrowly score the victory. Frankly, that fight could have been scored either way.

This time, the tempo of the combat was much the same way as it was in the first fight. If there were differences, they were subtle in that Beterbiev seemed to be more aggressive early in the fight rather than gradually stepping up his pace as the fight progressed. Another subtle change that occurred this time around is that while Beterbiev applied consistent pressure from the outset, Bivol kept his jab working throughout the entire fight while being forced to move by Beterbiev.

While the jab is something that seems to be overlooked by some due to it being an elementary punch that is among the first thing that one is taught in the gym as they attempt to become a fighter, when it is implemented and executed with both timing and precision, it can not only be an effective weapon, but it also can help win rounds that could otherwise be scored the other way. Although Beterbiev seemed to land the harder punches of the two fighters when he did land, which is what happened in the first fight as well, the difference was unlike the first fight where he stopped using his jab as the fight progressed, Bivol kept throwing his jab and mixing in combinations with consistency throughout the rematch. 

Despite the subtle adjustments of both fighters, the rematch, much like the first fight, ended up in a virtual standstill. No knockdowns scored between the two fighters and several proverbial “Swing Rounds" where who won a round could have been determined by moments that could sway opinion one way or another. Due to being impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton in October of last year when the first fight between Beterbiev and Bivol occurred, this observer was prevented from covering that bout as would normally be the case. Nevertheless, I did watch the first encounter via my phone due to the circumstances at that time and I felt Bivol won that fight seven rounds to five or 115-113 in points. My initial score was verified when I was able to return to my home and view the fight once more even though it was Beterbiev that got the nod in the first fight.

This time, at the conclusion of twelve rounds, I arrived with the same scorecard as I had in October with Bivol winning seven rounds to five or 115-113 in points. The difference between fight one and fight two, at least as far as how yours truly saw things, is I felt Bivol won three of the last four rounds, which was enough to give him the edge by two rounds on my scorecard. In the first fight, I felt Bivol won the first four out of twelve rounds and then earned three more rounds out lf the final eight rounds, as Beterbiev seemed to take control of the ebb and flow.

Although I ended up with the same score in the rematch as I had the first time around, I also felt the same way as I did at the end of fight one in feeling that it could go either way. This time, it would also be a majority decision, but with Bivol getting the nod making him the new Undisputed Light-Heavyweight champion of the world.

With two fights now in the books between Bivol and Beterbiev, and with the undisputed championship in the Light-Heavyweight division now having changed hands, the obvious question is what happens now? The logical answer would be a third fight between the two. After twenty-four closely fought rounds in two fights being fought to a virtual standstill, would a third fight produce a conclusive outcome? While one can never rule out a possibility of a knockout or a potentially wide decision win, stylistically, the styles of the two fighters, Beterbiev a pressure power puncher, Bivol, a fighter who also has punching power, but one that has evolved into a boxer/puncher, are such that they mesh in such a way that they could square off ten times and each time, the combat will likely be close, competitive, and have a difference of opinion amongst fans and experts alike as to who has the upper hand. It will likely always be a close call, but this observer is very much looking forward to the next chapter. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

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Davis-Roach Pay-Per-View Card Now Available For Preorder On Prime Video

The March 1st  Premier Boxing Champions pay-per-view card headlined by undefeated WBA World Lightweight champion Gervonta Davis defending his title against current WBA Jr. Lightweight world champion Lamont Roach is now available for preorder on Prime Video for $79.95. The fight, which will headline a night of Boxing from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY can be purchased by visiting the Prime Video app on your streaming device of choice or by the following link Davis vs. Roach.

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Bellew And Groves Predict Beterbiev-Bivol II

Press Release: February 22, 2025 By CasinoBeats.com - Recently, former world champions and Boxing legends Tony Bellew and George Groves sat down with CasinoBeats.com to predict today's Undisputed Light-Heavyweight world championship rematch between undefeated champion Artur Beterbiev and former unified world championship Dmitry Bivol. Bellew and Groves shared their thoughts on the highly anticipated showdown below.

Tony Bellew on Beterbiev v Bivol:

“I do (think it will be a different outcome) with Bivol winning on points. Once again, I thought the first could have gone either way. I thought Bivol was the better boxer on the night, but I thought Beterbiev pressed the whole night and he outpunched him. He just outworked him. And I think them championship rounds in that fight were big. I did like Bivol’s boxing, so Bivol has shown us he has the ability. I think he'll learn his lesson from the first fight. But if Beterbiev is successful again, then I think he could take on Jai Opetaia.” 

George Groves on Beterbiev v Bivol:

“It's only four months since the first match, isn't it? So it's a quick turnaround. I think Bivol wins though. I think it will be close again, but I think Bivol wins and then we see the trilogy. Both guys were cautious of each other's ability and each other's punch power in the first fight. Both guys showed each other a lot of respect and therefore we didn't get the best version of that fight. This one should be more lively.”

Material Courtesy of: CasinoBeats.com Used with permission.

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Barboza-Catterall Thoughts

On February 15th a world title elimination bout took place in the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division to determine a number one contender in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Jr. Welterweight world championship currently held by Teofimo Lopez. The bout, which took place in Manchester, England, pitted Arnold Barboza and Jack Catterall the WBO’s number one and two contenders respectively.

What was refreshing about this particular encounter beyond it being one between the legitimate top two contenders meeting to determine who will be next to challenge for a world title, but it was simply a bout between two of the top fighters in the Jr. Welterweight division, which did not see any grandstanding or pre-fight hype tactics that all too often crosses the line from simply trying to draw interest in a fight to legitimately personal attacks. This was simply two of the best fighters meeting to test their skills against each other.

What resulted was a tactical battle where both fighters seemed to struggle to establish the ebb and flow for several rounds. Perhaps this was due to a healthy respect between the two fighters and each fighter’s skillset in that neither was eager to take the initiative in being clearly aggressive. This presented a scenario where the two fighters, though willing to engage, did so with some distance between the two of them, likely trying to bait the other into making a mistake where the opposing fighter would have the opportunity to counter punch. 

While not the most exciting contest if one is looking for an all-action type of fight, seeing two world-class boxers demonstrating their skill level and trading rounds where each seemed to have their moments throughout was interesting to watch for those who enjoy Boxing in its purest, technical form. Although entertaining for those of us who appreciate tacticians plying their trade, it was no surprise at the conclusion of twelve rounds to see a split decision rendered with Barboza gett the nod of two of three official judges by a margin of seven rounds to five or 115-113 in points, while the third judge had the same score, but for Catterall.

Simply put, this was two world-class boxers putting forth their best. Although there was not much in the way of highlights, no controversial calls that would require more analysis from this observer, it was still two of the best Jr. Welterweights in the world showing why they are regarded as two of the best. For Barbosa, he has now earned his shot at Teofimo Lopez’ world championship, which according to the WBO, must take place within 180 days.

While this performance for Barboza was not the highlight reel type that one would expect in order to drum up interest in a potential world title challenge, he simply did what he had to do against a highly skilled opponent in Jack Catterall in a fight that could have gone either way. Sometimes two fighters' respective styles will not mesh in such a way that it will produce a knock down, drag out, Fight of the Year candidate. Given how close this fight was, however, it would not surprise me if Barboza and Catterall were to meet again down the line. This may also happen if Lopez, who recently signed a three-fight agreement with Riyadh Season, the Saudi Arabian entertainment group who has staged several major Boxing events both in Saudi Arabia as well as around the world, along with Lopez’ longtime promoter Bob Arum, chooses to go in a different direction and potentially vacate his title, which would make Barboza per winning this elimination bout, the new world champion per his now being the number one mandatory challenger. Were such a scenario to play itself out, it would make all the sense in the world for Barboza to face Catterall again. If that indeed happens, the question will be whether chapter two between Barboza and Catterall would be different in terms of how the fight is fought or if stylistically, it will always be a closely fought contest where it is not easy to determine a winner.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Gloves Off: Davis-Roach Now Streaming On Prime Video

Credit: Prime Video 

Press Release: February 15, 2025 By NEW YORK—February 14, 2025— Today, Prime Video announced the release of Gloves Off: Gervonta “Tank” Davis vs Lamont Roach Jr., the sixth installment of the compelling docuseries. This two-part series delves into the preparation for the anticipated 12-round lightweight world championship bout set for Saturday, March 1 at Barclays Center.

Boxing superstar and reigning WBA Lightweight World Champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) will defend his title against WBA Super Featherweight World Champion Lamont Roach (25-1-1, 10 KOs) in the main event of a stacked PBC Pay-Per-View on Prime Video card. The 30-year-old Davis from Baltimore and 29-year-old Roach from Washington, D.C., previously met as amateurs and now face off for Tank's World Lightweight belt.

 

Narrated by Barry Pepper, the program takes fans beyond the ring, blending footage of the fighters' lives, families, and training camp activities as excitement builds for this prime-time encounter in Brooklyn.

Material, Photo, and Trailer Courtesy of: Prime Video Used with permission. 

For more information about Prime Video please visit: www.PrimeVideo.com 

 

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BYB Extreme Fighting Series And Vice TV Sign Multi-Year Broadcast Deal

Press Release: February 12, 2025 By BYB Extreme Fighting Series-  

VICE SPORTS AND BYB BARE KNUCKLE BOXING REACH LANDMARK MULTI-YEAR MEDIA RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Surging Combat Sport to be VICE TV’s First-Ever Live Event Series

Credit: BYB Extreme Fighting Series 

NEW YORK (Feb. 13, 2025) - VICE TV today announced it has reached a landmark multi-year media rights agreement with BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing, the world's oldest and largest bare knuckle fighting company. VICE Sports will televise 13 live events in prime time this year, with most airing on Saturday nights, kicking off with BYB 37 Denver Brawl IV on Feb. 22. BYB will have the distinction of being VICE TV's first live sports event series as the 40M plus subscriber cable television network continues its programming shift to a sports-first model.

Since its inception, BYB has continuously given fight fans what they truly want: the best fighters in the world, taking the gloves off and facing one another in the oldest and purest form of combat sports, bare knuckle boxing. BYB's patented, 3-sided Trigon ring is the smallest fighting surface in combat sports, which pushes the action to the middle of the ring, forcing fighters to fight and resulting in a ninety percent knockout rate.

"We look forward to adding live BYB Bare Knuckle Boxing, our first live event series, as a mainstay of the VICE TV schedule as VICE Sports continues to fill its programming slate with compelling sports-themed docuseries, programs, live events, and podcasts," said Pete Gaffney, President of VICE TV. "BYB is a combat sport surging in popularity, and having it on VICE TV helps us fulfill our mission of featuring provocative sports programming that our audience now expects."

"Bare Knuckle Boxing is growing faster than any other sport, with a trajectory that mirrors MMA twenty-five years ago, and that growth and popularity will only accelerate as VICE TV builds out VICE Sports," said BYB CEO Greg Bloom. "BYB, like VICE TV, prides itself on being an industry innovator and disruptor, and we look forward to being a tentpole partner as VICE Sports continues to elevate exciting original and live programming."

 

Over the past year, BYB has become the international leader in this new and exciting combat sport, making significant strides in reshaping the landscape. With BYB's acquisition of Europe's BKB, the oldest bare knuckle company in the modern era, BYB has doubled its international roster and historic bare knuckle fight library, while significantly increasing the interest in BYB's global distribution.

BYB 37 will take place on Saturday, Feb. 22 (9:00 PM -12:00 AM ET) at the Stockyards Event Center in Denver, Colorado. The main event will pit two of BYB's most explosive (and undefeated) fighters against one another when men's Super Lightweight champion Harry "The Hitman" Gigliotti defends his Police Gazette Diamond Belt against Jon "Untameable" Barnard. In the co-main event, BYB Women's Featherweight champion Helen Peralta looks to become a 2-division champion when she faces Brazil's Lailane Mota for the vacant BYB Super Featherweight Police Gazette Diamond belt.

As global demand for sports programming continues to grow, VICE Media recently launched the VICE Sports brand, coupled with a significantly expanded original sports programming strategy. VICE TV, the cable television network in partnership with A+E, has shifted its programming to a sports-first model (find VICE TV viewing and streaming options here). Recent VICE Sports premieres include debate series Brady vs Belichick: The Verdict, with host Christopher "Mad Dog" Russo; Calipari: Razor's Edge, a docuseries following the legendary coach in his first season with the Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team; and Pitino: Red Storm Rising, a backstage pass as Pitino and St. John's University's Red Storm strive to capture the school's first BIG EAST Conference title since the turn of the century. Overall, the company will produce more than 50 hours of sports-themed docuseries, programs, events, and podcasts for global distributors across television and digital.

ABOUT BYB BARE KNUCKLE BOXING

Originating in South Florida with backyard legend Dada 5000, whose backyard fights gained worldwide popularity online, BYB was founded to harness the excitement of bare knuckle into a more structured product for a broader, more mainstream audience. Since 2015, BYB has hosted events in Wyoming, Mississippi, Florida, New Mexico, Louisiana, South Carolina, Colorado, England, Wales, and Dubai, and is continuing to work with athletic commissions throughout the United States and globally to expand the fanbase and grow the sport of bare knuckle. For more information, visit bybextreme.com and follow us on social media @bybextreme.

ABOUT VICE MEDIA

VICE Media is a global media and entertainment company, focused on producing authentic, high-quality content across television, digital, film, news, and branded advertising. The company has four main businesses in its portfolio: VICE Studios (award winning television, documentary, and film production company); VICE TV (40M plus subscriber sports and entertainment cable network in partnership with A+E); VIRTUE Worldwide (a global, full-service strategic, creative, and branded entertainment agency that excels in increasing brands’ cultural capital in today’s ever-changing, digital-first world) and Pulse (leading commercial and music video production company). Recent Vice Studios content includes hit UK series Gangs of London (now available on Netflix in the U.S), MAX documentary Bama Rush and the newly launched video podcast Shane Smith Has Questions which has attracted millions of views on YouTube.

2025 BYB BARE KNUCKLE BOXING ON VICE TELECAST SCHEDULE*

All Times Eastern

*Subject to change

DAY DATE TIME EVENT

Saturday Feb. 22 9:00 PM -12:00 AM BYB 37 Denver Brawl IV

Saturday March 22 8:00 - 11:00 PM BYB 38 Wolverhampton, England, UK

Friday April 4 8:00 - 11:00 PM BYB 39 Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

Saturday April 19 8:00 - 11:00 PM BYB 40 Cardiff Wales, UK

Saturday May 31 8:00 - 11:00 PM BYB 41 Jacksonville, FL, USA

Saturday June 14 8:00 - 11:00 PM BYB 42 Albuquerque, NM, USA

Saturday July 5 8:00 - 11:00 PM BYB 43 Bolton, England, UK

Saturday Aug. 16 8:00 - 11:00 PM BYB 44 Denver, CO, USA

Saturday Sept. 6 8:00 - 11:00 PM BYB 45 Bristol, England, UK

Saturday Sept. 27 8:00 - 11:00 PM TBD

Saturday Oct. 18 8:00 - 11:00 PM TBD

Sunday Nov. 9 8:00 - 11:00 PM TBD

Saturday Dec. 6 8:00 - 11:00 PM TBD

Material and Photo Courtesy of: BYB Extreme Fighting Series Used with permission. 

For more information about BYB Extreme Fighting Series please visit: www.BYBExtreme.com. 

 

The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.