Joseph ‘Jojo’ Diaz is ditching the gloves. On Thursday, it was announced that the former IBF super featherweight champion has signed with fast-rising bare-knuckle boxing promotion BKB.Jojo Diaz becomes the latest former boxing world champion to crossover to bare-knuckle boxingBKBDiaz (34-10-1) will make his bare-knuckle debut atop the upcoming BKB 56 bill on July 18 at The Nova at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. The card also includes the long-awaited BKB debuts of Victor Ortiz and Alfredo Angulo, as well as the return of two-division BKB champion LT ‘Smash’ Nelson. Diaz said: “I’ve spent my entire career testing myself against the best fighters in the world, and I’m excited to start this next chapter with BKB.“I’ve always been a fighter who comes forward, throws punches, and gives fans everything I have every time I step into the ring.“That’s exactly what bare knuckle boxing is all about. “To make my debut in my home state of California, in front of my hometown fans in Los Angeles, makes this opportunity even more special. “I can’t wait to show everyone what ‘JoJo’ Diaz looks like inside the Mighty Trigon on July 18.”Diaz, 33, competed for Team USA at the 2012 Olympics before turning over as a professional, and winning the IBF 130lbs belt from Tevin Farmer in 2020. That would prove to be the pinnacle of his otherwise turbulent tenure in boxing. A loss to Devin Haney in 2021 for the WBC lightweight title sparked a decline in form, with Diaz losing 8 of his last 10 outings over the past five years. Diaz won the IBF super featherweight title in 2020 by beating Tevin FarmerGettyThe transition to bare-knuckle boxing provides Diaz with an opportunity to breathe new life into his combat sports career.BKB CEO David Tetreault said: “JoJo Diaz is exactly the type of world-class athlete that continues to elevate BKB. “He’s an Olympian, a former world champion, and one of the toughest, most respected fighters of his generation. “His pressure style, toughness and willingness to engage make him a natural fit for bare-knuckle competition. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to BKB and couldn’t ask for a bigger stage than Los Angeles to introduce him to our fans.”Diaz’s bare-knuckle debut will be streamed exclusively live and free on BKB’s official TikTok page (@bkbbareknuckle).Watch Boxing on DAZN*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenueSign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.Click here to sign up.