FORESTBURGH– Forestburgh native Loren Mack has recently been named Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Executive Vice President of Strategy for Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB). Founded in 2015 by entrepreneur Mike Vazquez and former pro fighter Dhafir Dada, BKB is rapidly gaining traction in the combat sports world. Mack, who was educated at Dynamite Youth Center (DYC) in Fallsburg, is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he earned a doctorate in public policy. “I’m Sullivan County through and through,” Mack shared. “Nothing is more important in my life in terms of education than DYC and Sullivan County; everything I know and everything I’ve learned comes from those two places!” Reflecting on his early work experiences, Mack spoke fondly of the time he was employed at local establishments such as Mr. Willy’s and The Raleigh Hotel. He credits his mother, Danielle Mack, for getting him his first job at the age of 13, though. When he expressed a desire to just “hang out” for the summer, she responded, “Yeah, right!” That first job washing dishes at the Forestburgh Playhouse became “the greatest summer I ever had! Sullivan County is a special place. It’s taught me so much. 

All the lessons about loyalty, hard work, and treating your neighbor the way you want to be treated come from Sullivan County,” Mack said. He attributes his success to his humble beginnings growing up in the county, alongside the influence of his parents, Ed and Danielle Mack, who were former teachers at the Monticello Central School District. Their lessons instilled a passion for volunteer work within Mack, who was actively involved with Community Unity of Sullivan County. In the past the organization hosted several fundraising efforts aimed at regional recovery, homeless aid, and youth programs, including the Great Sullivan County Food Raiser, which benefits local food pantries. “The commitment to lending a hand to others drives me to this day,” Mack said. Now based in Las Vegas, NV, he continues this commitment by helping others because it is the right thing to do. “Every first Friday of Ramadan, my wife, Anita Mack and I cater the Al Sabur Mosque in Las Vegas because there’s no greater joy than doing for others, especially during the holy month.”

 **Boxing Inspiration** 

The Catskills have a rich history in boxing, having served as an unlikely mecca for the sport from the 1930s through the 1990s. Legendary names like Mike Tyson, Rocky Marciano, and Muhammad Ali trained and lived in the area. “Boxing was always a big part of the conversation when I was a child,” Mack recalled. However, unlike many who transitioned from the ring to the boardroom, Mack’s curiosity lay in the broader aspects of the sport, from the logos on the canvases to the audience in attendance. After watching a VHS tape of the Ultimate Fighting Challenge (UFC), he was hooked. BKB focuses on bare-knuckle boxing, which Mack asserts is “in fact safer than mixed martial arts and traditional boxing.” He explains that head trauma is a significant concern in traditional boxing, but in bare-knuckle strikes are strategically limited, resulting in less overall damage. In addition to watching UFC, Mack gained valuable experience while working with the organization during its early growth phase in public relations. He has spent nearly twenty years with other organizations such as ONE and PFL.

Regarding his new leadership role at BKB, Mack believes that the timing was just right. “As CMO and Executive Vice President of Strategy, my mission is to do whatever it takes to succeed,” he stated. “I’m committed to ensuring that this is the most successful combat sport of our lifetime. I believe in the athletes and want them to be successful. I also believe in the company’s mission, which is ‘fighters first.’ We’re growing astronomically, but to continue that growth, it’s a 100 percent effort every day for the next three to five years, and that’s my commitment!” In a social media-driven and tech-savvy world, Mack has set mass distribution at the top of his list of goals, followed by the expansion into new markets. The next big BKB event is scheduled for next month in Mexico, marking the organization’s first appearance there. “We just had a fight on the White House lawn!” he added excitedly. Despite his success, Mack remains humble and connected to his roots. “Whether it’s Japan, France, or anywhere else in the world, when I say I grew up in Sullivan County, New York, the Catskills, people recognize it. Wherever I go, I try to lend a helping hand.”