Maintaining a perfect record in the bare-knuckle boxing scene, Julian Fernandez has pointed out distinct contrasts between his stints in BKFC and his ongoing journey with BKB. The ex-Mexican national boxing champ has established himself as a dominant force in the sport, holding BKB’s undefeated crown after first stepping into the bare-knuckle arena under the BKFC banner.
While the battlegrounds are naturally distinct, Fernandez highlighted other key differences between fighting for the two major bare-knuckle organizations when speaking to Bare Knuckle Bowker (translated by BKB’s Mel Valenzuela):
“In BKB, you step inside to engage in a real battle. You are right there trading blows in the center. Conversely, the BKFC ring offers more space, allowing fighters to move around more and evade direct conflict… He emphasizes that the three-minute rounds in BKB present a demanding test.”
“He explains that mastering your positioning and angles is crucial. It can either be a major asset or a severe disadvantage depending on your skill level. Consequently, adapting to these angles, exploiting them effectively, and dealing with the three-minute duration make the BKB platform both more demanding and deeply satisfying.”
The undefeated BKB titleholder is armed with multiple strategies for his upcoming battle against a multi-weight BKB champion this Saturday in Tijuana
Discussing how he adapts to Bare Knuckle Boxing’s unique triangular ring despite a record dominated by rapid, opening-round stoppages, Fernandez explained to Bare Knuckle Bowker (through translation by Mel Valenzuela):
“He is grateful that his bouts have ended quickly so far, yet he trains diligently for a full six-round battle every single time. He is prepared for the long haul, which involves controlling the ring geometry. He always has contingency plans ready in his back pocket. Up to now, though, his ability to finish opponents in the opening round is simply a reflection of his intense preparation.”
When questioned on whether Dan Podmore, who challenges for his super cruiserweight strap this weekend at BKB 59, might be the first opponent to push him past the first round, Fernandez responded playfully through interpreter Mel Valenzuela:
“He has no idea how prepared Podmore is and doesn’t seem to mind. His focus remains entirely on his own readiness. He trains relentlessly to secure a quick knockout, but he is fully equipped to go the full six rounds if necessary. He prefers not to make exact predictions [laughs] and doesn’t want to play guessing games. He simply knows he is ready, plans to strike aggressively from the start for a fast finish, but remains prepared for a longer battle.”
This piece was originally published on BJPENN.COM
