Gunn Challenges Former UFC Heavyweight Tank Abbott For Bareknuckle Title

Posted on | November 1, 2011 | No Comments

In Dayton, Ohio this past weekend, former UFC heavyweight Tank Abbott won a unanimous decision over Scott Ferrozo in a no holds barred contest. In lieu of the win, current world heavyweight bareknuckle boxing champion Bobby Gunn has launched a formal challenge to Abbott to accept a fight for the title.

“First I want to congratulate Tank on the win; he is a great fighter and I have much respect for him, and so that is why I would like to give him an opportunity to fight for my title,” said Gunn. “Under the advice of Joe McEwan—aka Big Joe Mac—I was told that Tank Abbott is the perfect opponent for my first title defense. I think a fight with Tank would be a perfect tune-up in preparation for my fight with James Quinn in February.”

Abbott built a name for himself in the MMA world due to his savageness inside the cage and his unrelenting attack. Tank prided himself on being a bareknuckle fighter and always putting on a show, win or lose.

“Myself and Tank Abbott would be a bareknuckle fight that fans would love to see,” said Gunn. “But Tank, here it is. I am giving you the chance to fight me for the world heavyweight bareknuckle title on November 19 at the Fort McDowell Casino in Arizona.”

Since Bobby Gunn defeated Richard Stewart in August to claim the vacant world heavyweight bareknuckle boxing title, last held by John L. Sullivan nearly 123 years ago, the international buzz for bareknuckle boxing has been increasing. Gunn is confident that in the near future the fight sport will be as mainstream as MMA and boxing.

The reason for the recent taking off of bareknuckle boxing is that it offers the science of boxing coupled with the excitement of a MMA fight.

“I think the more big fights we have the popularity for bareknuckle boxing will continue to take off,” said Gunn. “Ultimately I want to see it expand into an assortment of weight classes so bareknuckle boxers of all different weights can have their shot.”

Currently Bobby Gunn and James Quinn are scheduled to fight for the world heavyweight bareknuckle boxing championship in February of 2012. This bout will feature two of the most revered bareknuckle fighters of our time, and will surely pave the road to a long and exciting future for bareknuckle boxing.

“We will anxiously await a response from Tank’s team,” said Gunn. “I have received offers from some lesser known fighters who are simply looking to make a name for themselves and don’t belong in the ring with me, and I know that a fight with Tank would not disappoint fight fans worldwide.”

“Lastly I want to give thanks to all of Team Gunn for all of their ongoing support,” said Gunn. “A very big thanks to Dave Feldman, Al Roth, Renato Colantoni, Joe McEwan, Matt Yanofsky and Chris Cella.”