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I have seen a lot of young heavyweights across multiple combat sports, but Jesse "The Reaper" Sparks might be the most imposing one I've seen in a while. Sparks, who fights for Bare Knuckle Boxing, is just 23 years old. He is inexperienced with just three bare knuckle bouts on his resume. However, Sparks is a gifted KO artist with a vicious and prone-to-go-viral mean streak.

When you see him, he looks like he should be someone's edge rusher, but with his complexion, low-fade haircut and high-volume body art, he looks like the real-life version of Fight Night Champion's Isaac Frost. If you know, then you know. I had an opportunity to observe him leading up to his first-round destruction of Darius LeSane at The Novo in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 18.

In a word, I knew I was looking at a potential star. Let's talk bare knuckle.

Key Facts About Jesse Sparks

Category Detail

Nickname

"The Reaper"

Age

23

Division

Heavyweight

BKB Record

2-0

Latest Win

KO1 over Darius LeSane, BKB 56

Broadcast

VICE TV (US), talkSPORT (UK)

Who Is Jesse Sparks?

Sparks is so young and there are moments when you see the youthfulness. Other times, you simply see a hulking combat sports heavyweight who you don't want to piss off.

He moved to 2-0 under the BKB banner on a sold-out night at The Novo, and the physical mismatch told its own story. Sparks weighed in at 256.4 pounds — more than 40 clear of LeSane.

What's Next For Jesse Sparks?

That edge can be good and bad for him. I'm hoping for the former. In a time where BKB and bare knuckle on a whole needs a young star, Sparks could be it.

BKB's calendar gives him a runway. The promotion heads to Tijuana on September 19 after its Los Angeles debut sold out. Put The Reaper on that card and see what breaks.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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