Los Angeles, California, USA – April 16, 2026 – BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing has officially welcomed two promising boxing talents, Fernando Vargas Jr. (17-1, 15 KOs) and Amado Vargas (13-0, 6 KOs), to its ranks. The brothers, both in their prime physical condition, are transitioning from traditional boxing to the intense world of bare knuckle fighting under a multi-bout contract.
Mike Vazquez, Founder of BKB Bare Knuckle, expressed his excitement about the league’s rapid expansion, noting the influx of undefeated prospects with world-class potential. “The growth of BKB over the past twelve months has been immense,” Vazquez stated. “We’ve signed some of the greatest legends in combat sports. Now, we’re seeing undefeated prospects with world title potential in gloved boxing transition to bare knuckle in their prime – and we’re only going to see more of this. I can’t wait to see the Vargas brothers in the trigon.”
David Tetreault, CEO of BKB Bare Knuckle, emphasized the significance of these signings. “Signing both Fernando Jr. and Amado is a major addition to our roster,” Tetreault commented. “These are two athletes in their physical prime, hungry for success – and they see BKB as the perfect opportunity to achieve this. BKB is going mainstream and the Vargas brothers will play a huge part in driving us there.”
Hailing from a lineage of champions, with their father being two-time light middleweight world champion Fernando Vargas, the brothers bring a potent combination of elite skill and a fierce drive for victory to bare knuckle boxing. Fernando Jr. has demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming significant personal challenges to build a professional record with 15 knockouts in 17 wins, including an impressive 11-fight knockout streak early in his career. Amado, known for his aggressive style and high-pressure tactics, has consistently faced tougher opposition, securing multiple early finishes. Alongside their younger brother Emiliano, they represent the formidable Vargas Dynasty, poised to become prominent figures in bare knuckle boxing for years to come.
These notable additions underscore BKB’s burgeoning momentum, attracting accomplished boxers to its high-stakes events. The promotion has recently welcomed Olympic gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa, and former world champions Lee Selby and Victor Ortiz to the bare knuckle arena, with their respective debuts scheduled soon. Paulie Malignaggi is set to challenge reigning champion Rolando Dy for the BKB Welterweight World Title on May 16th in Manchester.
Fernando Vargas Jr., nicknamed “El Feroz” in honor of his father, is a devastating finisher with championship bloodlines. The 29-year-old super welterweight, who turned professional at 24 after overcoming incarceration and training with makeshift equipment, began his pro career with an explosive 11-fight knockout streak. His sole loss was a competitive decision against rising talent Callum Walsh. Vargas Jr. has dedicated himself to his career, proving his elite status through discipline and ambition.
Amado Vargas, 25, is an aggressive middleweight known for his relentless pressure, precise combinations, and powerful body shots. With a strong amateur background, including a top national ranking with Team USA, Amado has steadily progressed in the professional ranks since 2021. He has achieved early knockouts in three of his last five fights, with notable wins against Sean Garcia and Nurideen “Deen The Great” Shabazz. Like his brothers, Amado is part of the close-knit Vargas Dynasty training unit and maintains a disciplined lifestyle.
The Vargas brothers, who were featured in the 2014 reality docuseries “Welcome to Los Vargas,” maintain a significant social media presence and are also active in acting, modeling, and entrepreneurship. They have also engaged in philanthropic activities, such as participating in the Hollywood Christmas Parade. Their move to BKB is fueled by the promotion’s rapid growth, high-quality production, and the raw excitement of bare knuckle fighting. The brothers view BKB as the ideal platform to compete together as a family and cement their legacy in the purest form of combat sports.
Fernando Vargas Jr. expressed his enthusiasm: “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 chance to step up, fight the legends crossing over, and build our own legacy as bare knuckle icons.”
Amado Vargas added: “We’re in our prime and ready to make our mark as pioneers in bare knuckle. What I bring is nonstop pressure, sharp combinations, and body work that breaks opponents down. BKB gives us 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 expanding roster of over 200 fighters from more than 30 countries, underscoring BKB’s appeal to the next generation of combat sports talent seeking the ultimate challenge. The promotion continues to announce major developments as it experiences meteoric growth.
Since its inception as BYB Extreme Fighting Series in 2015, founded by Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris and Mike Vazquez, BKB has evolved into a regulated, globally broadcast powerhouse. Strategic acquisitions, including the original UK-based BKB and Bad To The Bone, combined with a fighter-centric approach prioritizing athlete welfare and opportunity, have been key to its success. Broadcast partnerships with entities like talkSPORT, VICE, and Telemundo have provided extensive international reach.