David Tetreault Charts Bare Knuckle Boxing’s TikTok Surge

Who Is David Tetreault?

David Tetreault brings more than a decade of senior marketing experience from 20th Century Fox, where he oversaw studio films and sports properties. He then spent roughly seven years as Golden Boy’s chief business officer under Oscar De La Hoya, helping elevate stars such as Ryan Garcia. In that role he negotiated what he calls the largest promotional deal in boxing history, sealing Canelo’s status as the sport’s highest‑paid athlete. A brief three‑year stint at Triller preceded his move to BKB as CEO earlier this year.

BKB’s Franchise‑Style Growth Model

Tetreault frames Bare Knuckle Boxing as a full‑scale sports franchise, likening it to storied teams like Manchester United, the L.A. Dodgers, and the Boston Celtics. The promotion’s roster features veteran boxers alongside former UFC and PFL champions—Victor Ortiz, Lee Selby, Yuriorkis Gamboa, and the Vargas brothers, who headline the “Summer of BKB” tour. Storytelling is central; an in‑house media division is being built to amplify each fighter’s narrative. A Bally’s‑backed prospect series is also in development to nurture emerging talent.

TikTok Domination and Distribution

BKB’s reach extends to VICE TV, talkSPORT and a pioneering TikTok partnership that has become a growth engine. Since the platform launched the feed in mid‑April, the channel has gathered more than 53 million likes. The standout moment came on June 27 in Cardiff, when the Lee Selby show delivered the highest watch time ever recorded for live sports on TikTok. Tetreault compares the deal to major rights agreements held by Fox, ESPN and Red Bull, positioning the feed as a true broadcast outlet rather than a highlight dump.

Mainstreaming Bare Knuckle Boxing

Over the next three years Tetreault aims to make BKB a mainstream Saturday‑night fixture, filling arenas with sold‑out crowds. The plan hinges on featuring top‑tier fighters, with a pivotal September 19 world title card in Mexico co‑produced with Zanfer set to showcase that ambition. BKB’s VICE agreement expires this year, and negotiations for a new global broadcaster are already underway. The global push focuses on the United States, the United Kingdom and a deepening presence in Mexico through the Zanfer partnership.

Key Takeaways

• David Tetreault, former 20th Century Fox SVP and Golden Boy CBO, now leads BKB.
• His franchise model showcases elite boxers and MMA veterans, backed by storytelling and a Bally’s‑backed prospect series.
• TikTok drives record‑setting engagement with over 53 million likes and industry‑leading watch time.
• Future goals include arena‑level mainstream reach, a Mexico world title show, and a new global broadcast partner.