Victor Ortiz and Paulie Malignaggi Will Headline BKB 62
The veteran boxers will face off in a five-round super welterweight bout at the Orpheum Theatre on December 5, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Boxing
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Victor Ortiz and Paulie Malignaggi will compete in the main event of BKB 62 at Los Angeles' Orpheum Theatre on December 5, 2026. The match will feature five rounds of action in the super welterweight division inside a three-sided Trigon ring.
Why it matters
This bout matches two former world champions in a bare-knuckle format as they look to leverage their storied professional boxing histories in a new arena. It marks a significant test for both fighters as they navigate their careers beyond traditional professional boxing.
Victor Ortiz holds a professional boxing record of 33-7-3 with 25 knockouts, while Paulie Malignaggi carries a 36-8 record with 7 knockouts. The upcoming fight is strictly scheduled for five rounds in the super welterweight division.
The players
Victor Ortiz
He is a former WBC welterweight champion known for his significant power with 25 career knockouts.
Paulie Malignaggi
He is a former IBF junior welterweight titleholder who transitioned to bare-knuckle boxing in recent years.
Rolando Dy
He is a professional fighter who defeated Paulie Malignaggi in a May 2026 bout.
The details
The fight will be contested inside a three-sided Trigon ring, moving away from traditional square boxing rings. Both competitors bring championship experience to the event, with Ortiz having won the WBC welterweight title in 2011 and Malignaggi claiming the IBF junior welterweight championship in 2007.
Timeline
Malignaggi won the IBF junior welterweight championship in 2007.
Ortiz captured the WBC welterweight title in April 2011.
Malignaggi retired from professional boxing in March 2017.
Malignaggi lost by stoppage to Rolando Dy in May 2026.
Ortiz and Malignaggi will fight on December 5, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This marquee matchup highlights the ongoing effort by BKB to feature high-profile veteran boxers as the organization competes for market attention. The event serves as a focal point for the current season as the promotion seeks to establish its own historical record apart from traditional boxing legacy organizations.
The fight is officially sanctioned for five rounds, meaning stamina requirements will differ significantly from the twelve-round championship bouts both men previously navigated. The outcome will further clarify Malignaggi's standing in the bare-knuckle circuit following his recent stoppage loss.
The takeaway
The transition to the bare-knuckle ring requires significant adjustments from the traditional boxing techniques both men mastered earlier in their careers. Fans should watch for how these veterans manage the unique spatial constraints of the three-sided Trigon ring.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of the sport, visit the Boxing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LowKickMMA.
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