The world of bare-knuckle boxing is bracing for a high-profile showdown in Los Angeles as former boxing world champions Paulie Malignaggi and Victor Ortiz prepare to settle their differences inside the squared circle. As anticipation builds for the marquee matchup, they have already drawn evaluations from inside the sport’s elite ranks, most notably from reigning BKB super welterweight champion Rolando Dy.
Dy, a proven veteran who has shared the canvas with some of the sport’s finest combatants, has cast his vote of confidence toward Malignaggi. The champion believes that Malignaggi’s technical acumen and unique stylistic advantages will ultimately carry him past Ortiz when the two icons collide.
Before looking ahead to the sprawling landscape of elite bare-knuckle bouts, Dy has his own immediate professional obligations to fulfill. The hard-hitting champion is currently deep into preparations to defend his BKB super welterweight crown against Scott McHugh. The high-stakes championship clash is scheduled to headline BKB 60, taking place in Newcastle on October 10th. Once Dy handles his business across the Atlantic, the combat sports calendar will quickly pivot toward the United States, where the promotion’s expansion into marquee matchups continues to gather immense momentum.
The rivalry between Malignaggi and Ortiz is officially set to explode inside the unique confines of the BKB Mighty Trigon. The two decorated veterans will trade leather on December 5th at BKB 62, a card already generating substantial buzz among combat sports purists and casual fans alike. For Malignaggi, the bout represents another chapter in a fascinating transition from gloved boxing royalty to the unforgiving environment of bare-knuckle combat.
Dy himself shares a profound professional history with Malignaggi. The two warriors previously waged a brutal war under the BKB banner, battling for the prestigious Police Gazette diamond belt. That encounter proved to be a defining moment in the division’s history, showcasing the stark differences between traditional boxing and the specialized nuances of fighting without hand protection.
Reflecting back on that memorable title defense—a grueling encounter that saw Dy successfully halt the former multi-time gloved boxing champion—the reigning titleholder offered a candid assessment of what fighting a legend like Malignaggi meant for his career and his understanding of the sport. Speaking via Bare Knuckle Bowker, Dy detailed the realities of the matchup and the respect he holds for his former opponent.
"Yeah, I mean Paulie is a very, very good boxer," Dy reflected. "He is a two-time world champion, famous boxer and I just proved that bare knuckle boxing is not boxing. On that fight, it’s an honor to fight Paulie. But yeah, also he’s very famous. So when I fought Paulie and I finished Paulie, it made me a little bit more famous than before. So, it’s a blessing that I fought Paulie for my title defense."
Paulie Malignaggi Would Beat Victor Ortiz and Robert Duran Jr., Per Rolando Dy
Long before the booking between Ortiz and Malignaggi was officially finalized and announced for their upcoming California showdown, rumors were already swirling within combat sports circles regarding potential fantasy matchups. Among the bouts discussed by analysts and fans were prospective pairings featuring Robert Duran Jr. squaring off against Victor Ortiz, alongside a potential clash between Victor Ortiz and Paulie Malignaggi.
When asked to break down how those hypothetical matchups might unfold within the unique parameters of bare-knuckle fighting, Dy provided a detailed analytical breakdown that highlighted Malignaggi’s specific skill set. Drawing from his firsthand experience sharing the canvas with the former world champion, Dy explained why Malignaggi would likely hold the upper hand against both men.
"Duran and Victor would be a good fight. Duran and Paulie may be a good fight," Dy noted via Bare Knuckle Bowker. "But I think Paulie will beat the two. He’s more experienced in bare-knuckle boxing and very hard to hit. So, I just have the blueprint to beat him because I’m a fighter."
Dy further emphasized that Malignaggi’s defensive mastery, honed over decades at the absolute highest levels of elite boxing, translates effectively to the bare-knuckle discipline when compared to contemporaries who may struggle to adapt their defensive postures without the cushion of boxing gloves.
"If two will do bare-knuckle boxing and use their boxing skill set, I think Paulie will win against the two. Like Duran or; because I watch the fight of Ortiz in his latest fight in bare-knuckle boxing. I think Paulie will beat him."
As October 10th rapidly approaches, Dy remains entirely focused on turning back the challenge of Scott McHugh in Newcastle to retain his super welterweight championship. Meanwhile, the combat sports world continues to look toward the horizon, where Paulie Malignaggi and Victor Ortiz are preparing to step into the Mighty Trigon on December 5th. With an endorsement from a reigning champion who knows what it takes to weather Malignaggi’s storm, the stage is set for an explosive conclusion to the bare-knuckle calendar year in Los Angeles.
