Former BKB champion Rico Franco will face Kaleb Harris at BKFC 46 on 1 July in Newcastle. BKFC announced the match and event in a press release.
Resurgent Franco
Franco (8-2, 2-0 BKFC) has won his first two matches since joining BKFC. He stopped Darren Godfrey in two rounds in March, before defeating Axel Birbes by TKO last month at BKFC 40.
The win against Godfrey snapped a two-fight losing streak. Franco lost his BKB title to Jimmy Sweeney by stoppage in their long awaited rematch in September 2021.
Franco had previous defeated the legend by TKO in 2019.
After the Sweeney loss, Franco made his international debut at BYB 10 in Biloxi, Mississippi in May 2022. BYB contender Lorawnt Nelson stopped Franco in 2 rounds.
Harris will be Franco’s toughest challenge since joining BKFC. The American fighter is 6-4 in BKFC competition, including a close split decision loss to Elvin Brito in a BKFC Welterweight Title challenge.
Kaleb Harris has never been stopped in four BKFC losses-all his defeats are by split or majority decision.
Like Franco, Harris enters the fight with two straight wins. In his last match, he stopped Brad Kelly in the first round.
BKFC Returning to Newcastle
BKFC 46 will be the promoton’s second visit to Newcastle. The organisation visited the city last November for a BKFC Fight Night event.
“We’re thrilled to come back to Newcastle for the second time and the United Kingdom for the fifth time just in the past year,” said BKFC President Dave Feldman.
“Since our first event in the United Kingdom last August the support from the fans in ticket sales and subscriptions to the BKFC App has been overwhelming with each of our four previous events taking place in front of massive crowds. We can’t wait to return on Saturday, July 1!”
BKFC 46: Venue and Ticket Information
BKFC 46 takes place at the Walker Activity Dome in Newcastle on 1 July.
Tickets are now on sale at BKFC.com. More fights for the event are expected to be announced soon.