Croatian champion in bare-knuckle boxing Marko Martinjak not particularly concerned about protecting his hands when he steps into Trigon. His priority is hitting with maximum power, an approach that has helped him compile a 13-2 record.
On November 14, Martinjak will defend his BKB bridgeweight title against England’s Matty Askin at the O2 Arena in London. Despite facing a British opponent, the 35-year-old from Zagreb hopes to feel at home.
Marko Martinjak promises an aggressive approach to Matty Askin in his BKB bridgeweight title defense
“It’s in England, but I’m at home there. It’s my second fight at the O2.”
Known as “The Emperor of Bare Knuckle” and “Marvelous”, Martinjak attributes his success to his speed, aggression and uncompromising attacking style.
“Every shot I want to hit, I go full throttle. If I hurt my hands, I don’t really care.”
Martinjak started taekwondo at the age of 6 before switching to soccer and finally boxing at the age of 14. Three decades after entering the martial arts, he believes he has reached his competitive edge.
“I think I’m in my prime right now. Nobody’s going to beat me for a few more years.”
Unlike his earlier years as a professional boxer, when he struggled financially, Martinjak now earns enough through sponsorships and fight money to devote himself fully to training.
“I’m a full-time fighter. I live and breathe boxing.”
His success has also brought him closer to the Croatian martial arts legend Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.
Martinjak said their friendship goes back to his childhood when he attended Cro Cop seminars. Last year, they met at the mall when Martinjak was recovering from a broken arm sustained in a bridgeweight title fight.
Cro Cop invited him as a sparring partner in a planned boxing match against a Russian MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko.
Although the match did not materialize, Martinjak is ready to help if the match is revived.
“If Mirko needs a sparring partner for Fedor, when this fight happens, I’ll go train with him.”
In addition to defending the championship, Martinjak is looking forward to representing Croatia in front of an unusually large contingent of supporters.
With Croatia’s national football team facing England at Wembley Stadium in the same international window, Martinjak expects 100 to 150 friends and supporters to watch his fight.
“Representing your country on the big stage is always a privilege.”
Martinjak’s journey to championship success has included serious setbacks.
Before settling into bare-knuckle boxing, he spent about three years in prison, a period he attributes to bad influences and decisions made while working as a nightclub security doorman.
Now married with children, Martinjak considers these experiences a lesson in patience and discipline.
“Everything that is easily earned is easily lost – quickly. Nothing happens overnight.”
These lessons have helped shape the fighter who transformed himself from professional boxer to bare-knuckle champion.
As the next title defense approaches, Martinjak does not intend to give up the aggressive style that brought him success.
“Thank you to my friends, family and supporters. See me on November 14th for another KO.”
Marko Martinjak has held the title in FIVE different weight classes during his bare knuckle career 🏆 #BKB #BareKnuckle https://t.co/8QBNn5b2C2
— BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (@bkbbareknuckle)
October 23, 2025