The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on Thursday had a public news conference at Parx Casino for Saturday night’s KnuckleMania V at the Wells Fargo Center.
There will be 13 fights, including Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez – the former North Catholic wrestler who went on to become a world champion in UFC and Bellator MMA – against Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens.
Tacony heavyweight Joey Dawejko, a veteran boxer, will face Steve “Panda” Banks.
Two South Philadelphia natives will also be on the card. John Garbarino will face John Spencer, while “The Irishman” Pat Sullivan will meet Kaine Tomlinson Jr.
Alvarez, Stephens, Dawejko, Garbarino and Sullivan were among the fighters at the news conference, which took place in the Xcite Center.
Also on hand was Conor McGregor, a BKFC investor and world-famous former UFC and MMA champion who defeated Alvarez in a 2016 UFC title fight.
McGregor referenced Sunday’s Eagles game, offering a “Go Birds,” and said it’s part of a big sports weekend in South Philly.
“We’re kicking it off bare-knuckle style,” he said.
After the news conference, McGregor poured drinks for patrons in the Sportsbook bar and ate dinner at Parxgrill.
As for the fights, Alvarez is predicting victory over Stephens.
“I’ll put this man to sleep,” he said.
Stephens, an Iowa native now living in California, made fun of Mayor Cherelle Parker’s misspelling of Eagles. Stephens, 38, contending the 41-year-old Alvarez is too old and slow, said he would be the one putting his opponent to sleep – permanently.
“I’m going to put him in the f—— morgue,” he said.
Dawejko is hoping to send Banks to the canvas.
“I’m looking to knock this dude out quick,” he said.
Sullivan said Tomlinson does not stand a chance.
“No one’s f—— beating me,” he said.
Weigh-ins will be Friday at 5 p.m. at Xfinity Live.
KnuckleMania V starts Saturday night at 8. Each fight is scheduled for five two-minute rounds.
Here are the rest of the matchups:
• Mick Terrill vs. Ben Rothwell
• Bec Rawlings vs. “Killa B” Taylor Starling
• Pat “The Brick” Brady vs. Zach Calmus
• Itso Babulaidze vs. Bryan “Iceman” McDowell
• Zedekiah Montanez vs. Brandon “Beastmode” Meyer
• “The Disciple” Dustin Pague vs. J.D. Burns
• “The Animal” Travis Thompson vs. Zach Pannell
• Cody Russell vs. Logan Tucker
• Phil Caracappa vs Noah Norman
Tickets are available at BKFC.com.
To place a wager, go to BetParx.com. ••
