Carlisle's bare-knuckle boxing champion announces retirement

Carlisle’s bare-knuckle boxing champion Danny Christie has retired from the BKFC.

The Currock fighter has announced that he will no longer fight in the major bare-knuckle promotion.

Christie, the former British light-heavyweight champion, said he is “fulfilled” in the sport and is happy with what he achieved.

The 39-year-old also says that “Father Time” is catching up on him but is stepping away when he still knows he could fight on rather than become a “punchbag” for others in his decline.

Christie made the announcement on his YouTube channel, a month after his defeat in a world middleweight title fight against American fighter David Mundell in Marbella.

“I’m walking away from the BKFC,” he said.

“I feel fulfilled. I’ve had one hell of a journey, some fantastic experiences with the BKFC, some brilliant highs, some brilliant lows.

Christie, centre, says it is the right time to walk away from the sport (Image: BKFC)

“There’s nothing else I really want to do in the game. I don’t want to really come back to the UK and start fighting on these shows, after being on such a show like that in Spain.

“No disrespect to any of the fighters in the UK – there’s some incredible talent in the UK.

“But none of the names motivate me. There isn’t a name out there in the UK in the light-heavyweight or middleweight division that could motivate me into a training camp.

“I’ve had an incredible run. And I’m getting old, my body’s catching up on me. The last couple of fights, I’ve been a few seconds behind. Just that cognitive delay – Father Time, that’s all it is.

“I’m in a brilliant position, I’ve done really well and I thank God.”

Christie paid tribute to everyone who has supported him during his journey in the BKFC, which started in 2022.

Along the way he won five fights and lost twice, winning the British light-heavyweight title against Anthony Holmes in 2023.

That followed victories over Terry Brazier and Darren Godfrey. Christie went on to lose to American Jared Warren, but then successfully defended his UK title against David Round.

He then moved to the middleweight division, where his first victory against Jimmy Millar earned him a world title shot against Mundell.

“Every fight I’ve had I’ve been absolutely petrified, especially that first one at Wembley [against Terry Brazier in 2022],” he said.

“I’ve loved every second of it. Embrace that fear, be grateful that you can feel, endanger yourself.

“Injuries are piling up, I’m slowing down and from my mediocre skill set I’ve done incredibly well…I’ve put the effort in and got all way to a world title shot and got this close to achieving greatness. I can live with that.

“I’m pleased with what I’ve done. Of course I think I can do more. I feel in my heart I can keep fighting. But the truth is I think it’s the perfect time to walk away.

“I don’t want to empty myself in the ring to the point where I know I’ve got nothing left. I don’t want my kids to see that day. I don’t want to stick around to be somebody’s punchbag or a stepping stone for new up and coming fighters.

“I’m getting old and feel old. I’m happy to not compete any more. I’ve had a brilliant run. I’ve loved it.”

Christie also paid tribute to BKFC president David Feldman for being a “man of his word” in delivering what he promised regarding his opportunities in the sport.

The Cumbrian said he has “plenty on the horizon” and is currently training another fighter from Carlisle ahead of a BKFC debut in the new year.

“I want to be actively involved in other fighters,” he said, adding that he remains firmly in the camp of fellow Cumbrian BKFC fighter – European heavyweight champion Agi Faulkner – and that of lightweight star Gary Fox.