Melvin Guillard won’t be fighting at BKFC: Knuckle Mania 2 after all.
The Florida Athletic Commission and executive director Patrick Cunningham have denied BKFC’s bout proposal for a Feb. 19 matchup between Guillard and Ulysses Diaz due to “serious health concern,” according to a news release issued by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) on Thursday.
“The Association of Boxing Commissions is comprised of regulatory agencies from around the country – agencies that must balance the promotion of the combative arts with safety and that requires making many tough decisions,” the ABC statement reads. “This week, the Florida Commission should be recognized for making one of those hard decisions: denying a fight that was proposed by Bare Knuckle Fight Championship (BKFC).”
Guillard, 38, is winless in his most recent 14 combat sports bouts, including nine knockout losses between MMA and bareknuckle boxing. In his most recent fight, Guillard was finished by Joe Riggs in 59 seconds and suffered a series of surgery-requiring facial fractures.
“On the surface, the fight might look competitive, but after doing due diligence, the executive director Patrick Cunningham found a serious concern with the health of Melvin Guillard,” the statement continued. “In checking the certified ABC record sources, BoxRec and the MMA database, it was determined Guillard is suspended and requires a neurological exam, but even if he cleared that Guillard had lost the past 4 BKB bouts and had a lost 9 mixed martial art events in a row. His last fight was at an unsanctioned event in the State of Montana which does not have an operating Commission.”
ABC also commended Florida for its regulatory decision and oncce again cited its concerned for the sport of bareknuckle boxing “recycling” older boxers and mixed martial artists. While the ABC sees bareknuckle as a potentially inherently safer sport than boxing, it takes the stance that the culture has made it dangerous at times.
“Athletes who compete in this sport are generally older (over 35 years old), have already fought in various other disciplines and tend to be at the tail end of their careers. Many of these competitors have been affiliated with other MMA organizations and have been subsequently released by these promotional companies due to many factors including (but not limited to) loss of skills, consecutive losses, or injuries. Lastly, many of these fighters have not fought for extended periods of time. Therefore, the Association of Boxing Commission’s Medical Committee is especially concerned that athletes… “recycling” may be at higher risks for acute and chronic injuries.”
ABC president Mike Mazzulli, who has been an open critic of BKFC matchmaking in the past, praised the Florida Athletic Commission’s decision.
“Again, great job Florida, looking out for fighter safety,” Mazzulli said. “We can only hope and pray BKFC will reevaluate their rosters and make a very entertaining sport safer for all combatants. If not, the ABC and the member commissions will be ready to hold their feet to the fire.”
