BKB 46: Featherweight Fallout Gives Rise to New Heroes
It wasn’t the main event we expected, but we did get a world-class performance from a true champion.
The complexion of BKB 46: Empire State Brawl shifted dramatically at the weigh-ins. The originally scheduled main event for the BKB Featherweight Title—Harold McQueen vs. Yampier Ramirez—was canceled when McQueen failed to show.
With the main event scrapped, former Light Heavyweight Champion Cub Hawkins stepped into the spotlight, making his Super Middleweight debut. Hawkins overcame early adversity to knock out Brett Williams in the third round. Williams found success early, landing heavy shots, but Hawkins adjusted with movement and body work that opened up his overhand right for the finish. The win marks Hawkins’ eighth victory in BKB, seven of which have come inside the distance.
The new main event earned its shine, but the story wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging why the title bout was scrapped.
On just eight days’ notice, Jamal Woods stepped in to replace former champion DJ Linderman. Woods showcased the value of a long amateur boxing background, weathering a high-pressure first round from Dylan Rush. His jab took over in round two, busting up Rush and ultimately stopping him in the third.
In Super Heavyweight action, Juan Adams scored a gutsy comeback win. After being dropped twice, Adams leaned on Richard Carmack and closed the show with a short right hand, improving to 3-0 in BKB.
Making his Super Cruiserweight debut, Maurice Morris wasted no time. He launched looping overhand rights to close the distance and mauled Aleksei Kiser, earning a TKO in just over a minute.
Serob Minasyan also impressed, recovering from a knockdown after eating a right uppercut and responding with a brutal overhand right to knock out Jamed Bodnar at 1:16 of round one.
In a battle of debutants, Ihor Blazhenko leaned on his traditional boxing background to outwork Giovanni Rosales, winning a decision and handing Rosales his first loss in the sport.
UFC veteran Jesse Ronson made his Trigon debut in style, dropping Ryan Jett three times before earning a standing TKO in round two.
And in a brutal finish, Said Abdulgaziev overwhelmed Shaner Fichter with three knockdowns in just 1:16, his right hand turning Fichter’s left eye into a bloody mess.
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