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.
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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.
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'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)
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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.
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'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 https://www.bkfc.com/
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