Anthony Mundine is calling on sportslovers to get behind the "purest form of fighting" with his newest venture, one he's promised will bring the best in talent and entertainment to the ring.
The multi-time world champion boxer is preparing to launch his World Bare Knuckle Fighting in Magandjin (Brisbane) in September.
"I just want to put on the best shows, the best fights, and have the best entertainment and bring something different. There's something new. That's why I got involved," Mundine said at a launch event on Thursday.
Gloveless fight nights have been banned in other parts of Australia.
Earlier this year, a Perth event organised the US-based Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, co-owned by Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, was cancelled by WA's combat sports authority after getting the green light from the state government.
Mundine's new company have pursued hosting in NSW, but now have Queensland circled to house their debut.
"I'm a pioneer of a lot of things, and this is another thing that I'm pioneering, I'm bringing down here," he told National Indigenous Times.
"The fans are going to go crazy…it'll sell out pretty fast.
"We're looking to bring an amazing show. An exciting, explosive show. And we can't wait."
He told Thursday's event combat sports are the platform for inspirational stories.
"There's plenty of great stories…guys that you know come from nothing, and hit rock bottom and rose…representing themselves and their people," he said.
Bare knuckle is the "purest form of fighting", Mundine said.
According to reports, Mundine's team have said while fights can be bloodier, brain trauma risks are lower than in traditional gloved-up boxing due to fewer repeated blows to the head.
Mundine's promotion is also understood to have widened weight classes so fighters aren't forgoing conditioning to stretch themselves to make weight.
Inala-raised social media personality Chris 'Toshii' Dawson is looking to get into the ring in a future event hosted by World Bare Knuckle Fighting.
"I like getting hit. I'm a warrior. I have no fear. I feel my ancestors' cries living within me. So if you're not going to kill me, I'm going to take your head off," he told the event organisers.
Mundine told National Indigenous Times boxing is a platform where Indigenous Australians can "showcase their skills".
"I feel that Blackfellas are the best fighters, the best sportsmen, period. Football, boxing, basketball, whatever it may be," he said.
It's an avenue for a professional career and to make a name for yourself, Mundine added, also highlighting the demands of "discipline, dedication, determination" required.