As combat sports athletes continue to seek out new challenges across various weight classes to cement their legacies, BKB light heavyweight champion Cub Hawkins is making a notable strategic shift. Hawkins is temporarily dropping two weight classes from his current division as he chases the ultimate goal of securing a third BKB belt down the line.
Before any multi-division championship aspirations can materialize, however, Hawkins must successfully navigate a dangerous test. He is scheduled to step into the squared circle against Rowdy Montgomery at BKB Bally’s Fight Night, which takes place on October 23rd. The bout represents a critical crossroads for Hawkins as he balances immediate competitive demands with long-term career goals.
Speaking shortly after stepping off the scale following official weigh-ins the day before the Biloxi-based fight, Hawkins offered a candid assessment of his physical state and the grueling process of making weight.
"It’s going good. I weighed in and now I’m rehydrating. So, I feel a little better after," Hawkins said in an interview with Bare Knuckle Bowker.
Delving deeper into the physical toll required to navigate the drop down to the middleweight division, the reigning light heavyweight titleholder did not sugarcoat the reality of the experience.
"Yeah, I mean it sucked with the weight cut, that’s never fun," Hawkins stated. "But we made the weight and tomorrow we go to war and we’ll come out with my hand raised and on to the next."
With his immediate focus squarely locked on the upcoming battle with Montgomery, speculation naturally turned toward what lies ahead in the talent-rich BKB middleweight landscape. When asked if a showdown with reigning BKB middleweight champion LT Nelson would be the logical next step following the October 23rd event, Hawkins offered a measured response regarding his championship hierarchy.
"No, I want to defend my belt at 175 and then we’ll go from there. See what LT wants to do. But as long as the money’s right, maybe that’s the route," Hawkins quipped.
The matchup with Montgomery carries its own narrative history, having initially been slated to take place earlier this year in July before promotional and scheduling shifts pushed the pairing to the autumn slate. Asked for his tactical perspective on what Montgomery brings to the table as an opponent, Hawkins revealed a completely hands-off approach when it comes to scouting tape.
"I’m not really sure. I don’t really watch. I don’t watch my own fights. I don’t watch other people, I leave that up to my coaches and they game plan," Hawkins explained. "I just train and implement what they want me to do with my training partners. So, that’s the only thing I focus on."
Cub Hawkins Has His Eyes on the Top BKB Fighters from Super Welterweight to Cruiserweight
Beyond his immediate business at BKB Bally’s Fight Night, Cub Hawkins has consistently kept a panoramic view of the broader bare-knuckle landscape, tracking elite talent across multiple weight classes ranging from super welterweight all the way up to cruiserweight.
The ambition is nothing new for the veteran fighter. Hawkins previously captured headlines by calling out boxing legend Paulie Malignaggi shortly after securing the BKB light heavyweight crown with a victory over Barrie Jones. Reintroducing that ongoing storyline in the context of Malignaggi’s looming high-profile fight against Victor Ortiz in Los Angeles at BKB 62, Hawkins shared his excitement for the event.
"That is going to be huge. I want to be there for that. Just to see both those guys fight, no gloves. I’m excited," Hawkins said. "I don’t want to say who’s gonna win or anything like that. I like both guys. So as long as I’m there, that’s all that matters."
The conversation around multi-division movement naturally invites questions regarding division crossover, especially given that BKB middleweight and super middleweight champion LT Nelson has been testing the waters at super welterweight with an eye toward that division’s kingpin, Rolando Dy. When asked if Nelson’s division-shifting activities played any part in his own decision to drop down and explore new challenges, Hawkins emphasized that his primary motivation remains rooted in championship validation.
"I just want to defend my belt. I haven’t defended it yet and you’re not a true champion until you do that. So, that’s my main goal," Hawkins stated.
Having already etched his name into the history books with the distinct accolade of previously reigning as BKB’s cruiserweight champion, Hawkins also keeps a close eye on the upper limits of the organization’s weight divisions. Following Yunieski Gonzalez’s statement performance to cement himself as the cruiserweight champion at BKB 58 in Miami at the tail end of August, Hawkins weighed in on the division’s competitive outlook.
"He has to go through [Dan] Lerwell. Lerwell’s coming up. Lerwell is going to test him. That’s going to be a good one," Hawkins observed. "So good for him. You’re gonna see me there. That’s for sure."
