Roberto Duran Jr. Replaces Malignaggi At BKB 62

Paulie Malignaggi has withdrawn from BKB 62, opening the door for Roberto Duran Jr. to take the main event against Victor Ortiz. The Los Angeles card at the Orpheum Theatre goes ahead as scheduled for Dec. 5, with Bare Knuckle Boxing confirming the switch Thursday after Malignaggi cited personal reasons, Sherdog reports.

Duran Jr., son of the four-division boxing legend, carries a 4-2 bare-knuckle record into the headliner. All four of his BKB victories have come inside the distance, including an August first-round finish of Spivey at BKB 58. He announced himself in the sport two years ago by stopping then-welterweight champion Javon Wright in the third round.

Second-Generation Fighter Seizes Opportunity Against Ortiz

The 13-4 professional boxer turned bare-knuckle contender addressed the late-notice booking in a promotion statement. "When an opportunity like this comes along, you have to take it," Duran Jr. said. He praised Ortiz as a former titleholder who fought elite opposition but promised full commitment once the bell rings.

Ortiz brings a decorated 33-7-3 boxing résumé with 25 knockouts and a WBC welterweight title run. He debuted in bare-knuckle earlier this year with a decision win over Salcido at BKB 56. The promotion had initially paired him with Malignaggi in an October announcement before the change.

First bell rings Dec. 5 in Los Angeles with Duran Jr. chasing his fifth stoppage win.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Roberto Duran's son replaces Paulie Malignaggi vs. Victor Ortiz at BKB 62