Bare Knuckle CEO Has Spoken with Klimas, Calls Usyk One of His Main Targets

David Tetreau, CEO of the bare-knuckle fighting promotion Bare Knuckle, has confirmed that he has held talks with Egis Klimas, manager of three-time undisputed boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, regarding a possible appearance by the Ukrainian star in their events.

“We’ve had some important conversations. I’m very close with Egis Klimas, who is Usyk’s manager. So yes, we’ve spoken with him, and Usyk is one of our main targets. We’re in negotiations, so we’ll see.

We’ll have to help him overcome the transition barrier, and if we manage that, we’ll find the right opponent,” Tetreau said.

In 2025, Usyk attended a Bare Knuckle event in Italy as a spectator ahead of his preparations for the rematch with Daniel Dubois. The Ukrainian has stated he does not plan to return to the ring this year — though he has indicated when a comeback may be possible.