BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing has officially expanded its roster with the high-profile acquisition of undefeated professional boxer and digital media personality Anthony Vargas, who has inked a multi-fight agreement with the combat sports promotion.
The major promotional signing was formally announced during a public open workout session held at the Humble Warrior Gym in Los Angeles, California. While the partnership is now official, promotion officials have confirmed that Vargas’s highly anticipated BKB debut date, along with the identity of his inaugural bare-knuckle opponent, will be announced at a later date.
Vargas enters the organization boasting an unblemished 3-0 professional boxing record, paired with an immense digital footprint that commands widespread attention outside of traditional sports circles. The 26-year-old Los Angeles native has cultivated a massive online audience, amassing approximately 14.5 million combined followers across his active channels on TikTok and YouTube. This dual identity as both a rising prizefighter and an established digital creator positions him as a unique crossover attraction within the rapidly expanding landscape of combat sports.
The journey to this point has been defined by a rapid transition from digital content creation to the disciplined world of professional pugilism. After establishing a high level of success and broad recognition as a social media influencer, Vargas officially made his leap into professional boxing in 2024. His professional debut showcased immediate promise as he secured a hard-fought victory by unanimous decision against Jeremy Park. He followed up that initial performance with a stoppage win over Irvin Arnoldo Arevalo Chavez in 2025, demonstrating continuous improvement inside the squared circle.
Vargas further solidified his credentials in June 2026 by delivering a decisive third-round technical knockout victory over Angel Antonio Mora Bernardino. Rather than resting on his accomplishments in traditional boxing, the young contender has chosen to pivot toward an even more unforgiving arena. He now plans to test his aggressive, forward-moving fighting style completely without the protection of gloves inside BKB’s signature triangular ring, known as the Trigon.
For Vargas, the decision to remove traditional leather wraps and boxing gloves aligns directly with his natural fighting instincts and overall philosophy in the ring. The transition is not merely a lateral career move, but a calculated step toward a discipline that he believes highlights his innate physical attributes and offensive capabilities.
"Bare knuckle is more suited to my style," Vargas said regarding his multi-fight deal with the promotion. "I feel like I can get the job done faster without gloves than I can with traditional boxing. I’m excited for my BKB debut."
Though he currently lacks a confirmed opponent for his promotional bow, Vargas displays an unwavering mental fortitude that reflects his confidence as an undefeated athlete. He maintains that the identity of his first rival inside the Trigon is secondary to his own preparation and physical readiness.
"I don’t have an opponent yet, but it doesn’t really matter," Vargas stated. "Whoever they throw at me, I’ll be ready. I’m here to win."
To prepare for the grueling demands of bare-knuckle competition, Vargas undergoes rigorous training at The Shop Strength and Fitness, located in Montclair, California. In the gym, he operates under the expert guidance and mentorship of veteran professional boxing coach Eric Garcia. The seasoned trainer brings a wealth of championship-level experience to Vargas’s camp, having previously worked alongside and cornered several notable boxing greats throughout his career, including legendary names such as Timothy Bradley, Shane Mosley, Antonio Díaz, and Riddick Bowe. This elite mentorship provides Vargas with a technical foundation that few fighters of his experience level possess.
The strategic move to bare-knuckle boxing offers Vargas an extraordinary platform to seamlessly merge his developing career as a serious combat sports athlete with the vast, engaged audience he has diligently built online over the years. Executives at BKB firmly believe that this powerful combination of athletic potential and mainstream digital reach will make him a transformative and significant addition to their rapidly growing global roster of fighters.
"Anthony Vargas has the potential to make an impact in bare-knuckle boxing, and we’re excited to welcome him to BKB," said BKB founder Mike Vazquez. "He has already shown he can build a following outside the ring while developing his skills as a young boxer."
BKB CEO David Tetreault offered a similar perspective, emphasizing that the promotion constantly seeks out athletes who bring a dynamic presence and fresh energy to the sport, both inside and outside of the unique confines of the Trigon ring.
"We’re always looking for fighters who can bring something new to the sport, both inside and outside the Trigon," Tetreault noted. "Anthony has the potential to make an impact as he begins this next chapter of his career."
With this new multi-fight agreement, Vargas officially joins a robust BKB roster comprising more than 200 fighters who collectively represent over 30 countries around the world. The promotional backing gives him an international stage, though the true test will lie in his ability to translate his massive social media following into direct pay-per-view and ticket-buying interest once his official debut is formally scheduled and announced.
For the time being, however, all external noise and digital metrics take a backseat to the physical realities of training camp. Vargas remains entirely focused on the meticulous preparation required to excel in a sport that demands a different level of toughness, defensive responsibility, and hand-conditioning than traditional gloved boxing.
"Right now, it’s all about the preparation, and I’m not thinking about anything besides what I need to do in the gym every day to get better," Vargas concluded. "Once that bell rings and I flip that switch, it’s game on."
