BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing announced the signing of former British flyweight champion and Olympic standout Andrew Selby on June 11, 2026. The multi-fight agreement reunites Andrew with his older brother, former IBF featherweight world champion Lee Selby, under the same promotional banner.
This development establishes one of the most prominent family storylines in the sport as both Welshmen seek to transition their technical boxing skills to the bare-knuckle discipline.
The signing of the younger Selby brother follows the earlier arrival of Lee Selby, who joined the organization on February 5, 2026. While Andrew’s debut in the “Trigon” — BKB’s signature triangular ring — is expected in the coming months, his brother is already scheduled for a homecoming appearance.
Lee Selby will make his bare-knuckle debut at the “Carnage in Cardiff” (BKB 55) event held at the Vindico Arena on June 27, 2026, where he faces Italy’s Antonio Rizzo.
Andrew Selby, known as “Superstar,” brings one of the most decorated amateur backgrounds to the promotion. A 2012 Olympian and two-time European amateur gold medalist, he also secured silver and bronze at the World Amateur Boxing Championships.
During his professional gloved career, Andrew compiled a record of 13 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws across 14 total bouts, earning seven of those victories by way of knockout. His entry into BKB provides the promotion with an elite technical operator for its flyweight division.
Legacy and technical transition to the Trigon
The transition from gloved boxing to bare knuckle requires a significant shift in training and strategy. At 37 years old, Andrew Selby is looking to utilize his speed and timing in a format that consists of five three-minute rounds.
His brother Lee has already adapted his regimen, training with an MMA coach three times a week to master clinch work. This effort is designed to help fighters manage the close-quarters exchanges that are frequent in the Trigon, which is often described as the smallest surface in combat sports.
Andrew Selby has been vocal about his pragmatic approach to his career. “I want to make money in life, so that is why I fight,” Selby previously stated, noting he “just likes the cheques.” Despite the raw intensity of the sport, he views bare knuckle as the “original, no-excuses version” of boxing.
Like his brother, he intends to chase the Police Gazette Diamond Belt, which serves as the organization’s world championship. Their progress follows other high-profile amateur talents who have transitioned through various professional combat ranks.
Rapid growth for BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing
The addition of the Selby brothers is part of a broader expansion for BKB, which now maintains a roster of more than 200 fighters from over 30 countries.
The organization, founded in 2015 as the BYB Extreme Fighting Series, has grown through major acquisitions including the original UK-based BKB in 2021 and Bad To The Bone in 2025. This growth has been supported by broadcast partnerships with talkSPORT in the UK and VICE in the North American market.
Beyond the Welsh duo, the promotion is preparing for the UK debut of the “Vargas Dynasty.” Led by legendary three-division champion Fernando Vargas Sr., the family contingent includes his sons Fernando Jr. and Amado. They are set to compete at a major event at The O2 in London this summer.
CEO David Tetreault described these signings as a “historic moment” that strengthens the flyweight and lightweight divisions with proven championship pedigree.
BKB 55 Carnage in Cardiff fight card
While Andrew Selby awaits his first assignment, the “Carnage in Cardiff” event on June 27 features a deep lineup of bare-knuckle talent. The headlining debut of Lee Selby against Antonio Rizzo in a super lightweight contest is the primary draw for the Welsh crowd. Below is the confirmed main card for the event at Vindico Arena:
- Super Lightweight: Lee Selby vs. Antonio Rizzo
- Bridgerweight: Dan Podmore vs. Jarome Hatch
- Heavyweight: Kamil Sokolowski vs. Mark O’Neil
- Bridgerweight: Dorian Darch vs. Lee Chadwick
- Super Middleweight: Geraint Goodridge vs. Tommy Turner
- Welterweight: Tony Lafferty vs. Ashley Devenport
- Super Featherweight: Iestyn Edwards vs. Ashley Williams
- Super Welterweight: Joe Smith vs. Joe Morgan
The event also features a preliminary card including matchups such as Tusolo Williams vs. Jordan Bell and Rashid Omar vs. Ollie Sentance. This high-volume schedule illustrates the promotion’s shift toward regular, regulated events that mimic the structure of professional gloved boxing. For fans following the evolution of the sport, this move mirrors how major domestic boxing rivalries can galvanize a specific fighting scene.
Family dynamics and the future of the flyweight division
Reuniting the Selby brothers allows BKB to capitalize on a pre-existing competitive bond. Andrew noted that he and Lee have “always pushed each other” in the gym, and they now have the opportunity to chase world titles simultaneously.
This family-centered marketing strategy is a cornerstone of the promotion’s current recruitment drive, similar to their focus on the Vargas family. By bringing in fighters with established fanbases, BKB aims to bridge the gap between niche bare-knuckle interest and mainstream sports audiences.
The coming months will determine if the “Superstar” timing and footwork can overcome the high impact and clinch-heavy nature of the sport. His last appearance in a gloved ring was a knockout loss to com/hamzah-sheeraz-predicts-canelo-alvarez-knocks-out-christian/”>Julio Cesar Martinez in 2019, but at 37, Selby believes he still possesses the lightning-fast hands that made him a force in the amateur ranks. For now, all eyes in the Welsh combat community remain on Cardiff and the first step of this bare-knuckle family venture.
