Los Angeles, California, USA – April 16, 2026 – BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing has officially welcomed two prominent boxing talents, Fernando Vargas Jr. (17-1, 15 KOs) and Amado Vargas (13-0, 6 KOs), into their ranks. Both brothers, in the prime of their careers, are making a significant transition from traditional boxing to the intense world of bare knuckle fighting under a multi-bout contract.
BKB Bare Knuckle Founder Mike Vazquez commented on the recent signings, stating, “The growth of BKB over the past year has been remarkable. We’ve attracted legendary figures from combat sports, and now we’re witnessing undefeated prospects with the potential for world titles in conventional boxing making the move to bare knuckle while at their peak. This trend is only expected to grow. I’m eager to see the Vargas brothers compete in the ring.”
David Tetreault, CEO of BKB Bare Knuckle, added, “The addition of both Fernando Jr. and Amado is a monumental gain for our roster. These are two athletes in their prime, driven by success, and they recognize BKB as the ideal platform to achieve their ambitions. BKB is rapidly gaining mainstream appeal, and the Vargas brothers will be instrumental in propelling us forward.”
Carrying the renowned legacy of their father, two-time light middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas, the brothers bring a proven level of elite skill and an unwavering desire for victory to bare knuckle boxing. Fernando Jr. has demonstrated exceptional resilience, overcoming considerable personal challenges to build a professional record that includes 15 knockouts in 17 wins, highlighted by an impressive 11-fight knockout streak early in his career. Amado, known for his aggressive, high-pressure fighting style, has steadily climbed the ranks against increasingly formidable opponents, securing multiple early finishes. Together with their younger sibling Emiliano, they represent the formidable Vargas Dynasty and are poised to become the faces of bare knuckle boxing for years to come.
These significant signings reflect the surging momentum of BKB, which continues to attract accomplished boxers to its high-stakes, action-packed events. The promotion has recently welcomed notable figures such as Olympic gold medalist and former multi-weight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, along with former world champions Lee Selby and Victor Ortiz, to the bare knuckle circuit, with their respective debuts slated for announcement in the coming weeks. Paulie Malignaggi, a pioneer in the sport, is set to challenge reigning champion Rolando Dy for the BKB Welterweight World Title on May 16th in Manchester, following a highly successful debut.
Fernando Vargas Jr., nicknamed “El Feroz” in tribute to his father, is a formidable finisher with inherent world-title potential. The 29-year-old super welterweight turned professional at age 24 after overcoming significant personal obstacles, including a period of incarceration where he maintained his training regimen. He made an explosive professional debut, winning his initial 11 bouts by knockout and boasting an 88% finishing rate. His sole loss was a closely contested decision against rising star Callum Walsh on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford pay-per-view event in September 2025. A dedicated and disciplined athlete, Vargas Jr. has revitalized his career through hard work and determination, solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.
Amado Vargas, the 25-year-old middle brother, is characterized by his relentless pressure, precise combinations, and punishing body attacks. With a strong amateur background, including a No. 5 national ranking in the 114-pound class as part of Team USA, Amado turned professional in early 2021 and has consistently faced tougher competition. He has achieved early knockouts in three of his last five fights, with notable victories against Sean Garcia (brother of WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia) in July 2024 and Nurideen “Deen The Great” Shabazz at Misfits Mania in December 2025. Like his brothers, Amado trains as an integral part of the cohesive Vargas Dynasty unit and maintains a clean, disciplined lifestyle.
The Vargas brothers were previously featured in the 2014 reality docuseries “Welcome to Los Vargas,” which highlighted the “Dynasty” concept. They maintain an active presence on social media and have also engaged in careers as actors, models, and entrepreneurs. In 2024, they appeared as special guests at the 92nd annual Hollywood Christmas Parade on The CW Network, an event benefiting Marine Toys for Tots.
Their decision to join BKB is fueled by the promotion’s rapid expansion, high-quality production values, and the raw intensity of bare knuckle fighting. The brothers view BKB as the ideal platform to compete together as a unified family, further enhancing their legacy in this pure form of combat sport.
Fernando Vargas Jr. expressed his excitement, stating, “My brothers and I are in our prime, and we see BKB as the future of combat sports. I’m bringing the same ferocious finishing power that earned me the nickname ‘El Feroz’ – the kind of knockout hunger that can make me a world champion here, just like my father. This is our opportunity to step up, compete against the legends making the crossover, and build our own legacy as bare knuckle icons.”
Amado Vargas added, “We are in our prime and ready to make our mark as pioneers in bare knuckle. I bring relentless pressure, sharp combinations, and body work that breaks opponents down. BKB provides us with the platform to follow in our dad’s footsteps, face the big names making the jump, and become world-renowned champions together as the Vargas Dynasty.”
The Vargas brothers join an elite and rapidly expanding roster of over 200 fighters from more than 30 countries, underscoring BKB’s strong appeal to the next generation of boxing talent seeking the ultimate challenge in the most primal combat sport. Further significant announcements are anticipated as BKB continues its meteoric rise.
From its inception in 2015 as BYB Extreme Fighting Series, founded by MMA pioneer Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris and Mike Vazquez, BKB has transformed bare knuckle boxing into a regulated, globally broadcast powerhouse. This transformation has been achieved through strategic acquisitions, including the original UK-based BKB in 2024 and Bad To The Bone in 2025, and a fighter-centric philosophy prioritizing athlete welfare and opportunity. Landmark broadcast partnerships with talkSPORT (UK and Ireland), VICE (US and Canada), and Telemundo (Spanish-language in the US) have brought live events to millions worldwide.
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