Latest news with #ConnorTierney
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlisle bare-knuckle boxing champion announces retirement
Carlisle bare-knuckle boxer Danny Christie has announced his retirement from the BKFC. The 40-year-old former UK champion says he will no longer fight on the major bare-knuckle platform. Christie announced his decision following his recent defeat in a British welterweight title fight against Connor Tierney. The Currock fighter initially retired last autumn only to reverse his decision to take on Tierney. Now Christie is stepping down from the top bare-knuckle scene again. "The time has come for me not to compete any more," said the Cumbrian on his YouTube channel. "I'm retiring from the BKFC. "I'm not going to compete any more in bare-knuckle. "I just don't feel like I've got anything left to do in this game. "Never, ever in my wildest dreams or imagination could I ever have envisioned me doing what I've done in the BKFC. "What an honour and a privilege it's been to be one of the names that's helped pioneer this company in the UK and make it what it is today. "Bare-knuckle is where it's at. I love the BKFC. I love the sport, I love the game. Christie defeated Anthony Holmes to win the British light-heavyweight BKFC title in 2023, and has also had title fights in other weight divisions (Image: BKFC) "I've had some brilliant feedback from the BKFC. They've made a position available to me, working with the company in the UK, which is massive, and brilliant. It's what I wanted to do. "I'm an ambassador for the BKFC. But I've decided enough's enough." Christie said he had "retired" after previous fights but added: "There's only so many times I can keep doing this. "There's only a certain amount of training camps that you're willing to put yourself through." Christie became the British light-heavyweight champion in 2023 when, after victories over Terry Brazier and Darren Godfrey, he defeated Anthony Holmes in Leeds to take the belt. After defeat to American fighter Jared Warren, he successfully defended his British title against David Round. Christie then moved to middleweight and defeated Jimmy Millar, earning a world title shot where he was beaten by American star David Mundell. That fight last October prompted Christie to retire but he returned to take on Tierney in Birmingham last month. Home-city favourite Tierney got the better of Christie by technical knockout in the fourth round of a closely-contested and ferocious fight. After nearly three weeks since that fight the Carlisle boxer has now reached his decision to call it a day. "I've just headlined two shows back to back," he added. "I've got no interest in going back and fighting some randomer on the middle of a card somewhere. "No disrespect to the lads who are doing that, but I've come such a long way." Christie said he will "still be in the game," with the Currock man having been working with up-and-coming Carlisle fighter Kieron Sewell, who has just signed a deal to join the BKFC.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlisle bare-knuckle boxer valiantly beaten in ferocious UK title fight
Carlisle bare-knuckle boxer Danny Christie's bid to become British champion for a second time ended in valiant defeat in Birmingham. The Currock man's BKFC British welterweight title fight against Connor Tierney was a ferocious contest. But Christie was ultimately beaten by technical knockout in the fourth round after his corner stepped in. The 40-year-old Cumbrian traded some formidable blows with home-city champion Tierney at BKFC 77 Birmingham. The Carlisle boxer's face took some serious punishment whilst Christie landed some powerful shots of his own as he fought on. Connor Tierney BEATS Danny Christie after the referee stops the fight! 😯#BKFC77 | LIVE on DAZN | TONIGHT — DAZN Sport (@DAZN_Sport) June 28, 2025 But the fight was called to a halt 14 seconds into round four, with the post-fight announcements confirming that it was Christie's corner rather than referee Alan Jackson who had called a stop to things. It saw 30-year-old Tierney retain his title, with Christie denied in his comeback BKFC fight as he tried to add the welterweight title to the UK light-heavyweight crown he won in 2023. The fight was top of the card at BP Pulse Live and lived up to its billing as the two fighters showcased a contrast of powerful styles. Tierney, fighting from the blue corner, set the early pace with some rapid uppercuts and body shots, drawing early blood, before Christie – who had cut a relaxed and confident figure in his ring walk – offered a strong response with a big right-hand blow that connected with his opponent just before the first round bell. The reigning champion showed sharp movement as the pair traded more blows, Christie's face increasingly blood-streaked as cuts opened up further during the second round. The Carlisle fighter then tried to force the issue early in the third round as he went on the attack with some right and left-hand combinations, Tierney having to withstand some powerful shots from Christie whilst offering further telling body shots and jabs and showing elusive movement. Christie, pictured at Friday's weigh-in, came out of retirement for the title fight (Image: BKFC) The fourth round was paused early on with calls for Tierney's right-hand wrap to be attended to, but the fight did not resume as referee Jackson then signalled an end to the contest. Christie offered no protest against the decision and was quick to embrace Tierney as the Birmingham man celebrated his victory. The post-fight statistics showed that Christie threw and landed more punches but the damage inflicted by Tierney was also clear. Announcer Jeff Houston duly confirmed that 'the red corner had stepped in' leading to the TKO decision in Tierney's favour. Christie's corner team included fellow Cumbrian BKFC champion Agi Faulkner as well as Carlisle bare-knuckle boxer Kieron Sewell along with coach Arron Adair. The fight had seen Christie return to the high-profile BKFC platform, having retired last November. The Cumbrian made a strong impact on the top bare-knuckle stage in his initial run of fights by winning the light-heavyweight title two years ago, while last year he earned a world title fight in the middleweight division, losing to American star David Mundell.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlisle bare-knuckle boxer set for comeback title fight
Danny Christie is aiming to win his second BKFC title on Saturday (Image: BKFC) Carlisle bare-knuckle boxer Danny Christie is set to make his big comeback this weekend – with a major title in his sights. The Currock fighter returns to the top BKFC platform to take on Connor Tierney for the UK welterweight title. Advertisement Christie will face Tierney in the latter's home city of Birmingham on Saturday night as he looks to become a BKFC champion for the second time. The 40-year-old Cumbrian previously won the UK light-heavyweight title before moving to middleweight ahead of his announced retirement last year. But he has been tempted back to the high-profile BKFC stage in a top-of-the-bill fight at BKFC 77 Birmingham, staged at BP Pulse Live. The BKFC's founder and president, David Feldman, is expecting an outstanding contest between Christie and reigning welterweight champion Tierney. He said: 'Connor Tierney and Danny Christie have proven in each of their fights to be true bare-knuckle fighting warriors, among the very best in the world. Advertisement 'This is one of the best fights we've promoted in the United Kingdom.' Christie's first spell in the BKFC saw victories over Terry Brazier, Darren Godfrey and Anthony Holmes, the latter earning the Carlisle man the British light-heavyweight title. After defeat to American fighter Jared Warren, he successfully defended his UK title against David Round before vacating it to move to middleweight. Victory over Jimmy Millar earned Christie a world title shot in that division, where he was beaten in Spain by American champion David Mundell last October. Christie retired after last autumn's world title fight against David Mundell, but has since returned to the BKFC platform (Image: PA) Advertisement Tierney, 30, has eight victories and two defeats to his name in the BKFC, winning the UK welterweight title against Jonny Graham in Coventry last August. Speaking on his YouTube channel this week, Christie looked ahead to the fight and said: 'I'm in the best shape of my life – hands down, by far. 'I've been in the gym for the last ten weeks and feel very, very confident going into this fight. 'I want the best version of Connor, he's got the best version of me, we're both locking horns when we're at our best. 'I love going to other people's back yards, I love going and having straighteners with people where they want it. It's less pressure for me and I think I perform better when I'm in that position. Advertisement 'But time will tell. It's in God's hands now and may the best man win.' Should Christie win, he will become Cumbria's second reigning BKFC champion, along with Egremont's European heavyweight champion Agi Faulkner. For more information on BKFC 77 Birmingham, including how to watch, visit
