Bradford man Liam Duffy in strong message for mental health

Liam Duffy, 31, is set to do battle with British bare-knuckle champion Luke Dyson in Leeds on September 27, in a first bout of its kind.

Holme Wood’s Duffy, a European champion himself, will be competing for the ‘Hybrid Boxing’ world title under the banner of Scott McHugh Promotions.

Hybrid boxing itself offers a slight twist from the usual boxing format and that of bare-knuckle fighting, as competitors do battle with just four-ounce gloves.

Duffy, who also has an extremely strong background in boxing, has been competing in bare-knuckle fighting for six years now, but he’s set to take his biggest fight to date when September 27 comes around.

Of course, becoming world champion is the end goal, but this fight represents something far deeper to Bradford’s Duffy.

Speaking to the T&A ahead of the first ever sanctioned hybrid boxing world title fight, he said: “I started boxing at the age of six and ever since then I’ve dreamt of being a world champion.

“However, after winning my European title (2022) in bare-knuckle fighting, I took myself away from the sport for a while because I was mentally ill.

“Just five months ago I was in Lynfield Mount (Hospital) wondering if I’d ever have the opportunity to fight again, but I came through that period of my life, gratefully.

“I can proudly say now that I’m a suicide survivor and I’m lucky enough to be still here ahead of fighting for a world title.

“I want to get the message out that, if you’re struggling in life, it’s best to reach out to someone and talk. It really can save a life, as it did with me.

“Your life will get better, and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“If I can get through those dark days, then it shows that anyone can.”

Duffy added: “I’d like to thank Scott McHugh Promotions for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dreams of becoming a world champion.

“I’m working tirelessly in the gym for this to become a reality, and I have full belief that I’ll be bringing the world title back to Bradford at the end of September.

“And when I do, it will be for all those people that are struggling with their mental health.”

Liam Duffy's winning moment in his European title fight in 2022 (Image: Submitted)

Duffy, 31, who trains at Under Hooks gym in Bradford admitted that he’s grateful to have such caring people around him.

He said: “When you’re in a dark place, you want people you can speak to and trust, and that’s exactly what I had.

“My friends, my family and everyone down at Under Hooks were extremely supportive of me and they’ve helped so much with getting me back on track.

“This fight, for me, is to show people that you can bounce back from anything, and that can come through the power of talking.”

Discussing his love for the sport of bare-knuckle fighting, Duffy said: “It’s the closest thing to a gladiator you’re ever going to get, and I wanted to test myself in that scene once I’d collected a number of different titles in boxing.

“From then on, I’ve absolutely loved it.”

He added: “It definitely doesn't get the credit it deserves.

"I've boxed all my life, but since coming into bare-knuckle, I've found it to be the most gentlemanly and respectable sport.

"It's beautiful really, and the honour in it is genuinely lovely."

he fastest growing sport in the world right now."

Liam Duffy has fallen on love with bare-knuckle fighting since starting six years ago (Image: Submitted)

Talking about exactly how he got into bare-knuckle boxing, and the progress he has made since starting, Duffy said: "My friend Scott Midgley, who's a bit of a legend of the sport, asked if I wanted to give it a go instead of regular boxing.

"I had a bit of a rocky start, as I would take fights down at hay bales level, often with only one or two days’ notice, and not always win.

"But then I started to, and I've progressed and really got a feel for it in time.

"I work extremely hard and train twice a day at the gym, and now it's just about working towards that fight on September 27.”

For ticket information, and if you want to buy a ticket for the event, contact Liam Duffy on: ldduffy92@icloud.com