Photo: BKB

By Shawn De Guzman

Filipino world champion Rolando Dy is set to defend his Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) super welterweight crown when he takes on former boxer and two-division champion Paulie Malignaggi at the AO Arena in Manchester, England on early Sunday.

Dy, son of Filipino and former boxing champion Rolando Navarrete, is seeking to solidify his reign against one of the more recognizable names to enter bare knuckle boxing.

He weighed in 153.3 pounds while Malignaggi tipped the scales at 149.9 lbs.

Although the challenger boasts a wealth of experience in professional boxing, Dy remains confident ahead of the bout, stressing that bare knuckle boxing is an entirely different territory — one that he had comfortably reigned over.

“Fighting is my passion and BKB has given me an opportunity to provide for my family and I won’t let them down,” Dy said. 

“My job is to defend my title.”

Dy is boasting a 5-1 record while Malignaggi has an even 1-1 slate. In pro-boxing, however, the Italian-American had a 36-8 record before retiring in 2017.