Maryport bare-knuckle boxer suffers brave defeat in big BKFC fight

Yahoo

08-02-2025

West Cumbrian bare-knuckle boxer Bartek Kanabey went down to a brave defeat in his latest BKFC fight.
The Maryport-based fighter went up against Lewis Garside in a featherweight contest in Newcastle.
Kanabey went the distance with his opponent from Sunderland despite being knocked down twice.
But Garside had the upper hand and won by a unanimous points decision after the five-round fight at the BKFC Fight Night Newcastle event.
Polish-born Kanabey, 26, went into his fourth fight on the major BKFC platform after two wins and a defeat from his first three outings.
He had the height and reach advantage over his north-east opponent, who was making his BKFC debut after a background in MMA (mixed martial arts).
But Garside exerted control in a fight, held at Newcastle's Walker Activity Dome, which saw both men patiently looking for opportunities.
The first round saw a cagey start as Kanabey - nicknamed 'the Polish Plough' - withstood some strong hooks from Garside, who was also quick to evade the west Cumbrian's jab.
A powerful right-hand shot from Garside caused some swelling under Kanabey's right eye - and then in the second round a powerful left hook sent the Maryport boxer to the canvas.
Kanabey, though, was soon back to his feet and ended the round with some quick shots that almost unsettled his opponent.
In the third round the duo exchanged some hard body shots before another big left hand from Garside knocked Kanabey down again.
Kanabey, left, now has two wins and two defeats from his four BKFC fights (Image: BKFC)
He came through the mandatory eight count and battled on and, after Kanabey survived further attack in a cagey fourth round, the west Cumbrian tried to force the issue in the fifth.
But a more aggressive approach from Kanabey failed to see the decisive blow as Garside showed his skill to evade his punches, the Sunderland fighter coming through a late exchange of punches to the bell.
The judges' all concluded that Garside was the winner with a unanimous points decision and a margin of 50-43, the Sunderland fighter nicknamed 'the Leprechaun' celebrating as his arm was raised.
Kanabey, who trains at Just Grind in Workington, will now regroup for his next BKFC outing having recently signed a four-fight deal on the platform.
He had recorded victories over Shaun Kissane and Bakhtyor Kudratov before defeats to Jack Culshaw and Garside. He earned his chance on the BKFC stage after successful outings in the west Cumbrian WBKB events.