Built in the fighting image of the city of Philadelphia and team co-founder Ed Snider, the “Broad Street Bullies” era of Flyers history saw the team capture the heart of a generation of fans on their way to winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 1973-74 and 1974-75.
The undisputed heavyweight champion of the toughest team in NHL history was Dave “The Hammer” Schultz. Meanwhile, the Watson brothers — Joe and Jimmy — exuded mental toughness and leadership while playing in a combined seven NHL All-Star Games (five for younger sibling Jim, two for Joe). Jimmy also played for Team Canada in the famous 1976 Canada Cup tournament. Schultz and the Watson brothers are all members of the Flyers Hall of Fame.
On January 25, 2025, the Hammer and the Watsons will be honored at the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships (BKFC) “Knucklemania V” card at the Wells Fargo Center.
“Philly has always loved a good fight. It should be a fun night,” Joe Watson said.
BKFC, owned by Philadelphia native Dave Feldman, is based out of the city. The January 25 even will be a homecoming: the first-ever bare knuckle fighting event sanctioned by the Pennsylvania state athletic commission (SAC). In order to be sanctioned by the SAC, the event must comply with regulations designed to maximize safety and ensure fairness of competition. Most importantly, only professionally licensed combat sport athletes (boxers, mixed martial arts fighters, kick boxers or sanctioned Muay Thai) can compete. Additionally, all bouts much have experienced combat sports referees and judge panels with professional medical staff on hand at all times.
Recently, BKFC has worked in conjunction with Ice Wars to promote Knucklemania V. Ice Wars is a prize fighting combat sport on ice. Participants are former (in one notable case, still active) junior and/or professional hockey players. Ice Wars’ chief executive officer, Charlie Nama, has a direct connection to the Watson brothers.
Nama hails from Smithers, British Columbia. That is also the hometown of Joe and Jimmy Watson, as well as their other four brothers. A lifelong hockey lover, Nama attended hockey camps that Joe and Jim operated in Smithers during the offseasons. Flyers Alum Ron Flockhart also hails from Smithers.
“For me, this BKFC event in Philly is a dream come true,” Nama said. “The Flyers have always been my favorite NHL team and I’ve always loved coming to Philadelphia for Flyers games. I’m grateful that I got the chance to meet Mr. Snider, who was a wonderful man. Joe is one of the most loyal and generous friends anyone could hope to have, and he never forgets where he came from. So to be able to honor the Watsons — and, of course, Schultzy — is something that comes from the heart.”