Three local fighters from Stoke enjoyed decisive victories on a Liverpool show as the Stoke-based promotion Bad to the Bone organised by Stefan Hanks travelled to Merseyside to stage both gloved and bare-knuckle bouts. 

Bare knuckle fighter Joe Wise was delighted to win his second contest. "It went all my way. I was focused and determined to go home to my family safe and sound no matter what…that's where my grit came from. I kept catching him clean. I was the aggressor keeping him on the back foot. I wanted to make a statement. My first bare knuckle I lost in the first round so I was always going to make sure this one wouldn't go the distance. I'd been training seven days a week for this with lots of heavy sparring. It paid off."

Bare knuckle bouts are shorter than much gloved boxing, but the damage inflicted can be more dramatic. "My opponent's face was a mess. I'd promised him I was going to paint the canvas red and in the first thirty seconds he had to have a doctor agree that he could keep going. I landed a punch which split his nose right down the middle and I knew I had him where I wanted as I knocked him out in the first round. I came away with no damage to my face fortunately. Just swollen hands from hard work. I'll now have some well-deserved family time and plan what's next. I live for this sport because it keeps me the mentally healthy and helps me be a good dad to my baby son who's just four months old. He's my biggest achievement in life but I'd be lost without the challenge of this bare-knuckle fighting. It's brutal but I'm talented at it."

Joe Wise and Kian Murphy were both delighted to win their fights away from home (Image supplied).

Promoter Hanks was keen to commend Wise. "Joe showed true determination and came back strong. A bit nervous before the fight we lifted his spirits so that he went in positive and got a stoppage with a performance that was devastating for his opponent. Everyone is proud of him."

For gloved boxer Kian Murphy, 19, Liverpool was just his second bout and first away from home. "It went very well as I stayed composed even though my opponent attempted to scare me. I didn't let that get to me and just stuck to my game plan. It worked as I landed some hard punches that hurt him. I'd trained very hard for this fight. I sometimes train seven days a week while working a full-time job." Murphy is new to boxing but aims to become a professional stating "I put my all into this sport. I've only had thirteen weeks training and have now won two bouts. Boxing makes me feel alive. It's made me a better man. Helped me mature. I have the chance to go far boxing and will do my best to stay undefeated."

For Kian, the show was only his second bout and first away from home (Image supplied).

Hanks was positive about Murphy and fellow boxer Harrison Walker who returned to winning ways in Liverpool. "Kian boxed very well took his time and did not get dragged into a scrap. He relaxed and won the rounds. Harrison also boxed well listening and doing all I asked. His shots were very fast and full of venom allowing him to stop his opponent with some great body shots. We're now planning our next major show in Stoke on the 21st of September."

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