REPORT BY: JAMES BOVINGTON

BRADFORD bare knuckle boxer Shane ‘Badger’ Robinson travelled to Mirfield to fight for Spartan Fight Club’s featherweight title and was delighted to win on the open-air show Fight Fest Five last weekend.

The bout was held in a field, with all fights taking place in a pit of hay bales offering at most five square metres of fighting space for the three rounds.

"I’m proud to have won this New Bloods title belt with a second-round stoppage," said Robinson.

"It’s proof that when you’ve got a goal and believe in yourself, you’ll achieve what you want to achieve.

"I’m now looking for further opportunities maybe to fight at lightweight and I’m grateful to Spartan for giving us lads these opportunities to make a name for ourselves."
Opponent James McGonnell congratulated Robinson for having "real power behind his punches".

Bradford fighter Adi Doherty secured the Spartan British Lightweight belt in what he described as a "redemption rematch" with John Carmody. 

"I’ve got a world bare knuckle championship lined up against a Mexican lad. Thanks to everyone who supports me.

"This sport keeps keeps me off the streets. It’s therapy."

The promotion is the brainchild of Cheshire bare knuckle boxing promoter Christian Roberts. 

"We set it up in 2017 after hearing of the fatal stabbing of a boy of fourteen in London.

"We immediately wanted to do whatever possible to change that with a ‘gloves up, knives down’ approach to allow young men to settle differences in a controlled environment, what you might call the old school way rather than knives destroying lives, both of victim and perpetrator. 

"We currently hold five shows a year across the north and plan on growing the promotion to hold up to twenty-four annually throughout the country."

"At Spartan Wars we’re proactive about mental health. Many of our boxers find the sport helps them through rough times as the training and routine involved in the run up to shows keeps them focused and level-headed and the bouts are therapeutic and confidence-building. 

"Men like Badger and Adi are determined to be better versions of themselves and become role models in their communities."

Robinson is chasing more sponsorship and interested individuals and companies can contact him via Facebook at Badger BKF or e-mail at badgerwilson91@outlook.com. 

Adi Doherty can be contacted at Adidoherty21@gmail.com.