Former IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby has signed a four-fight deal with bare‑knuckle promotion BKB, confirming his debut against Italy’s Antonio Rizzo on June 26 in Cardiff in the UK. The 39‑year‑old, who retired in 2022 after a loss to Josh Warrington, said the offer finally met his financial expectations after earlier refusals. Selby’s move follows a growing trend of ex‑world champions testing the nascent sport.

Selby argues the risk mirrors conventional boxing, citing shorter rounds and fewer punches absorbed. He claims gloves protect hands more than heads, while the cramped Trigon often yields quicker knockouts and more cuts. Critics like Headway and promoter Eddie Hearn label the discipline “irresponsible” or “barbaric,” yet BKB’s chief executive David Tetreault calls the signing a game‑changer for legitimacy for the sport.

Selby’s brother, former British flyweight champion Andrew, has also secured a BKB contract, describing the venture as a chance to prove speed and heart in the ‘original, no‑excuses’ format. With prize money now the primary lure, the Selby siblings aim to collect titles and exit the sport as dual world champions, cementing bare‑knuckle’s credibility.