BKFC 73 is almost here. Saturday night (European time), David Feldman’s promotion’s world tour continues with the latest stop on the schedule. For the first time ever, BKFC heads to the Bel Paesa of Italy (“Beautiful Country” in English.)
BKFC 73 emanates on Saturday from Florence’s Palazzo Wanny. Coverage of this historic card commences with the countdown show at 12 noon ET/ 9 am PT on the official BKFC YouTube page. The fights themselves follow at 1 pm ET/ 10 am PT on DAZN.
All told, if there aren’t any cancellations or postponements between now and the weekend, the final version of Saturday night’s card will feature a total of 12 bare-knuckle boxing contests from Florence. BKFC is packing a little something extra in its suitcase for the weekend, as the card will have two championships at stake at the top of the bill.
BKFC 73 Main Event: BKFC Cruiserweight Championship: Chris Camozzi vs. Andrea Bicchi
In your headlining bout on Saturday evening, the BKFC Cruiserweight Championship will be on the line. Current titleholder Chris Camozzi (3-1 bare-knuckle) puts his belt at risk when he faces promotional debutante Andrea Bicchi (3-1 bare-knuckle.) All fights on the card will be a maximum of five rounds at two minutes per round.
Camozzi enters the BKFC 73 main event having posted a record of 4-1 in his last five fights dating back to the 2021 PFL season. At the moment, he’s looking to build off of a first-round knockout victory over Sawyer Depee (5-3 bare-knuckle) last October. Andrea Bicchi wasn’t supposed to have been Chris Camozzi’s original opponent for Saturday night.
Originally, he was scheduled to have a rematch against Lorenzo Hunt (11-2 bare-knuckle) in the headliner before the latter sustained an injury ahead of fight night. How much has Camozzi needed to adjust his gameplan with the switch in opponent before the contest?
Across the way, Andrea Bicchi makes his BKFC promotional debut on the strength of his own 4-1 record over the past five contests. He’s reeling from a defeat back in November of 2023 during Bad to the Bone from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK against Lee Browne.
Like Camozzi, Bicchi was himself scheduled to fight another adversary this weekend before his contest versus Tomas Melis was scrubbed upon being rebooked to face Camozzi here. With Bicchi not having fought in 17 months, the question of ring rust comes into play once again. Can he shake it off in the BKFC 73 main event?
BKFC 73 Co-Main Event: BKFC European Welterweight Championship: Rico Franco vs. Jimmy Sweeney
Immediately prior to the headlining bout, the BKFC 73 co-main event sees continental bragging rights up for grabs when the BKFC European Welterweight Championship is at stake between Rico Franco (9-3 bare-knuckle) and Jimmy Sweeney (19-4 bare-knuckle) in the latter’s BKFC debut. It’s also the first time that a trilogy will take place under the BKFC promotional banner.
The lifetime series between Franco and Sweeney is deadlocked at 1-1. Franco took the original fight five and a half years ago, while Sweeney got revenge in the rematch. How will chapter three of this rivalry play out?
Franco comes into the weekend sporting a 3-2 record in his last five bare-knuckle bouts. He’s looking to right the ship this Saturday night after dropping a unanimous decision at the hands of Austin Trout (4-0 bare-knuckle) in Spain last October for the BKFC World Welterweight Championship.
With the BKFC 73 co-main event being his second consecutive fight for a title, is Rico Franco going to be able to recapture the magic of his previous three-fight winning streak? This is something that’s easier said than done.
Jimmy Sweeney is one tough customer at the shop. A champion in BKB, he’s gone 4-1 in his last five fights, with three of those fights being championship confrontations. Last year, he bested James Connelly (6-6-1 bare-knuckle) after seven rounds on points to defend his title.
Sweeney is accustomed to fighting in seven-round contests, but this will only be a maximum of five rounds for the continental belt. Will the reduction in rounds play a factor?
BKFC 73 Featured Bout: Haze Hepi vs. Steve Banks
Also on BKFC 73 Saturday night, the featured bout sees heavyweight action take place when Haze Hepi (2-0 bare-knuckle) will make his BKFC promotional debut when he fights Steve Banks (4-2 bare-knuckle.) Hepi will be making the walk in David Feldman’s promotion having posted a record of 4-1 in his last five contests dating back to his days in traditional boxing.
Up to now, he’s on a three-fight winning streak, extended last time out against Jody Meikle (2-4 bare-knuckle) last July. Hepi hasn’t made the walk in nine months.
Compared to his opponent, that’s a long time to go without a fight. Will Hepi make it four wins in a row?
In the other corner, Steve Banks will have only taken 91 days between fights. He’s gone 3-2 in his last five bouts. Back in January of this year, Banks scored a third-round knockout of Joey Dawejko (0-1 bare-knuckle) in Philadelphia during KnuckleMania V. Is the quick turnaround going to be helpful or a hindrance?
Final Thoughts
Which fight or fights are you looking forward to on BKFC 73 this Saturday night? Let us know in the comments.
