BKFC ITALY STARS MEET THE PRESS AHEAD OF SATURDAY’S HISTORIC PREMIERE IN FLORENCE BKFC 73 ITALY ON DAZN
Final Press Conference Photos / Lee Hamilton-Cooper
Florence, Italy (April 24, 2025) Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), The World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion, hosted the Final Press Conference for their historic premiere in Italy ahead of the ground-breaking BKFC-73 ITALY on DAZN showcase This Saturday, April 26 at the iconic Palazzo Wanny in Florence, Italy.
Saturday’s must-see event airs LIVE globally on DAZN (1:00 p.m. EDT / 10:00 a.m. PDT).
BKFC-73 ITALY on DAZN is headlined by BKFC Cruiserweight World Champion Chris Camozzi, (3-1), of Denver, CO defending his title against popular, local favorite
Andrea ‘Italian Thunder’ Bicchi, (4-1).
Co-featured at BKFC-73 ITALY on DAZN in the welterweight division, #3 Ranked Rico ‘Bon Bon’ Franco will battle Irish bare-knuckle fighting legend Jimmy Sweeney
for the BKFC European Title in a can’t miss, third fight of their trilogy, each holding a victory.
Tomorrow, Friday, April 25 from the Hilton Florence Metropole, BKFC will live stream the Ceremonial Weigh-Ins starting at 1:00 p.m. EDT / 10:00 a.m. PDT on The BKFC YouTube page.
Below are quotes from the participants at the Final Press Conference.
David Feldman, BKFC Founder and President
“It's unbelievable to be here in Italy and it's going to be an amazing show. This is where the gladiators are from. This is where the gladiators started, here in Italy. Now, we get to bring the baddest sport on the planet with some of the best fights you're ever going to see, and we're so excited.”
“We have a true 'Rocky' story with Andrea Bicchi, the hometown fighter who a lot of people are already counting out. They don't think he has a chance to take on the Champion, Chris Camozzi, but here he is, he's putting it all on the line, and he's entering the Squared Circle on Saturday and trying to take the belt from Chris Camozzi.”
Chris Camozzi (3-1), defending the BKFC World Cruiserweight Title for the first time against Andrea Bicchi (4-1) in the Main Event of BKFC-73 ITALY ON DAZN.
“I'd like to thank my opponent for taking this fight, keeping me on the card, and allowing me to come to Italy to fight for you guys. You guys can call this a 'Rocky story' if you want, but just remember that Rocky got his ass whipped by Apollo Creed.”
"I've been fighting forever. This is just another day for me. I'm the Champion for a reason. He's going to realize that there's a big difference between the guys that he's been fighting and the caliber that I am. You're going to see it in his eyes after that first punch lands."
Andrea Bicchi (4-1)
“I couldn't ask for a better opportunity to fight in my city in front of my people, and I'm ready.”
"I don't like to see (Camozzi) smiling here in Florence. He won't be smiling on Saturday. We'll see how much he laughs on Saturday."
Rico “Bon Bon” Franco (9-3), fighting Jimmy Sweeney (29-4) for the third time for the vacant BKFC European Welterweight Title in the Co-Main Event at BKFC-73 ITALY ON DAZN.
“It's just another day at the office. We're going to turn up, we're going to smash each other's face, then we'll shake hands and have a beer, then go home to our families.”
“I’m going to put on a show for everyone in Florence. Let’s go.”
Jimmy Sweeney (29-4)
“It’s an absolute honor for me to make my debut here for BKFC. This is the biggest promotion in the world, and I feel like I’m the best bare-knuckle fighter in the world. I’m going to show that I belong here. On Saturday, I’m putting this trilogy to bed, and I’m leaving with the European Title. Saturday is just the start of my journey with BKFC.”
“It’s just another day at the office. Me and Rico are really good friends, but we put that aside when we get in there.”
Nicole Schaefer (1-0), fighting Sara Bitto (1-0) in the BKFC women’s bantamweight division.
“I will steal the show because I have the power. I train so hard, and I've had the best fight camp of my life. My coach has prepared me so well, so it will be awesome.”
Haze “The Huntsman” Hepi, making his BKFC debut against Steve “Panda” Banks (4-2) in the BKFC heavyweight division.
“I'm so happy and excited to be a part of such an amazing and big promotion, and I really just want to put on a show for Italy. I'm going up against a very tough opponent. A big man, a strong man with lots of experience. I'm excited to test myself and show everybody what I'm made of.”
Social Media
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Website: www.BKFC.com
Media Contact/Credentials
Bernie Bahrmasel
Double B Sports
Phone: + 1 773 592-2986
Email: Bernie@BKFC.com
Twitter: @BernieBahrmasel
About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is the first promotion allowed to hold a legal, sanctioned, and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. Based in Philadelphia, and headed by President and former professional boxer David Feldman, BKFC is dedicated to preserving the historical legacy of bare knuckle fighting, while utilizing a specifically created rule set that emphasizes fighter safety. BKFC holds all of its bouts in a revolutionary circular four-rope ring, designed to encourage fast-paced and exciting bouts. The patented BKFC “Squared Circle” contains scratch lines, based on the Broughton Rules which governed bare knuckle fighting in the 19th century, and which requires fighters to “Toe the Line”: start every round face to face, and just inches apart.
In BKFC, only those fighters who are established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai are allowed to compete. The referees and judges are required to have extensive professional combat sports experience. All fights are held under the auspices and control of an Athletic Commission. Unlike other fighting organizations and combat sports internationally which claim to be “bare knuckle”, but require wraps, tape, and gauze; BKFC is true to its word as fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands to within one inch of the knuckle. This makes BKFC unquestionably the truest form of bare knuckle fighting. BKFC is dedicated to not just creating the safest, most exciting, and highest-level bare-knuckle fighting organization in the world, it’s also leading the way for a new fully recognized professional combat sport. BKFC is truly the sport of the future, which fully respects its remarkable past.
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