Hearns-Hagler.
Nearly every round was like the opening round of the 1985 fight between Thomas “the Hitman” Hearns and “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler, which is generally considered the most ferocious in boxing history.
For those who don’t know, YouTube can bring you up to speed. For those who do, understand the action in every fight on the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event card Saturday night at Prudential Center was as promised by owner/promoter Conor McGregor: fearless, non-stop action from the opening bell.
The nearly 10,000 fans who came to see firsthand what boxing without gloves is like saw something that was far more than your average bar fight. And far more savage.
McGregor revved up the crowd a few times, but he didn’t necessarily have to. They got it.
So did Dylan Wanagiel, vice president of sports properties and special events at the Pru Center and throughout the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment empire.
Wanagiel, known globally for his ability to bring unique combat sports events to his venues, was thrilled.
“It’s an electric crowd out there,” he told BINJE right before the co-main events. “It’s really exciting. As we’ve seen tonight, rarely are you getting out of the first round.
“I have to give credit to the CEO, Dave Feldman Sr. He said, ‘Anyone who comes to this will walk away a fan for life.’ And I think we’re seeing that right now.
“There are a lot of first-time fans out there, and they’re all on the edge of their seat. They’re all loud. And it’s clear that when we have them back, and we will have BKFC back, these fans will be back, and they will have told all their friends about it.”
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Wanagiel’s job is to bring combat sports — really, anything unique — to all HBSE venues, including the Prudential Center.
And it’s more than just UFC, which made another ultrasuccessful stop at the Pru Center this summer.
It’s Top Rank Boxing (with gloves), it’s Final X (the U.S. Wrestling World Team Trials), it’s Sumo wrestling. It’s jiu-jitsu, which will be making a return appearance to White Eagle Hall in Jersey City next month.
“We call ourselves the town hall for entertainment in New Jersey and this is a very entertaining event — it’s exactly what we’re looking for,” Wanagiel said.
And its impact will be felt far beyond New Jersey and the metropolitan area, he said.
“In addition to all the fans here screaming their heads off, there’s a global audience watching,” Wanagiel said. “That’s something we also love. It brings exposure and recognition for Prudential Center and the city of Newark.
“We always want to showcase what we do for a global audience.”
This diversity of programming (the Pru Center’s Sean Saadeh brings the arena an incredible variety of arts shows — both music, including the MTV Video Music Awards, and comedy) has helped the arena become one of the highest grossing in the world.
Wanagiel credits HBSE co-owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer for being open to try anything. Saturday was evidence that it works.
“The fans seem to be loving this,” Wanagiel said.
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BKFC resonated with fans for two reasons: The action in the ring — and outside of it.
Fans quickly saw how the sport differed from traditional boxing and UFC. It was faster than both.
While competitors took boxing stances and used boxing combinations, having no gloves meant having no ability to cover up — and no letting your opponent punch themselves out.
Because of it, there was more action from the start: Far more knockdowns (both fighters often went down in the same round) and far more one-punch knockdowns (one fight lasted 20 seconds). Fighters can get in trouble quickly.
Yes, there’s a female division, too. The co-main event produced the night’s signature moment, when Christine Ferea stopped Jessica Borga with a punch that clearly broke her nose.
The punch increased the energy level, for sure.
Outside of the ring, the combatants did their part to grow the sport as well.
Combat sports, which were able to grow their audience during the pandemic (when they were one of the few sports that kept competing), are always looking to grow their appeal.
On Saturday night, the BKFC stars who were not competing, such as men’s heavyweight champion Ben Rothwell and female strawweight champion Britain Hart, spent most of the night posing for pictures with fans — and their championship belts.
Even the competitors on the night were seen in the stands and on the concourse — talking with family and friends and fans — when their fight was done.
Wanagiel gave huge credit to McGregor, Feldman and the entire BKFC team for the way their athletes were eager to interact with the fans to elevate the event while promoting the circuit.
“It’s amazing how much the fighters connect,” he said. “Conor always says, ‘They are men and women of the people.’ And he’s right.
“You can watch them compete and then, moments later, get to talk to them on the concourse or sit next to them while they’re eating French fries or something. It certainly adds to the experience.”
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Experiences. The Prudential Center is all about creating unique experiences. And always is on the lookout for something new.
So, what’s next?
Tennis is making its first-ever appearance on Dec. 7, with “The Racquet at the Rock.”
And a new Monster Jam event, one that creates a team competition that pairs iconic Monster Jam trucks with Freestyle Motocross bikes, is coming in January.
As for combat sports, Wanagiel said he’s working to ensure the arena remains on the play list for everything it has hosted before.
And maybe a new discipline, too.
“I’ve had some experience in my career with kickboxing, both Muay Thai and traditional glory-style kickboxing, and there are a few kickboxing promotors here tonight, checking out the venue for the first time,” he said.
“So, we’re excited. It could be another combat sport.”
