BKFC 55 Leeds: Contrasting emotions for Agi Faulkner & Danny Christie

The latest BKFC event in Leeds saw two boxers from the county involved in big contests - with differing fortunes.

It proved a memorable night for Egremont's Agi Faulkner.

He took less than a minute to defeat Welsh opponent Rob Cunningham in their heavyweight fight on the preliminary card.

Agi Faulkner, right, goes on the attack against Rob Cunningham (Image: BKFC)

Faulkner floored Cunningham, from Deeside, with two powerful right-hand shots in the first round to win by technical knockout.

It was a second win from two fights on the BKFC scene by the powerful west Cumbrian, who defeated Daniel Robson in Newcastle last November.

While Faulkner was celebrating, things were different for Carlisle's British light-heavyweight champion Danny Christie.

The Currock boxer suffered his first defeat in four BKFC fights, at the hands of American opponent Jared Warren.

Danny Christie, right, attempts to get the better of Jared Warren early in their fight (Image: BKFC)

Christie was knocked down three times in the first round and, despite beating the referee's eight count, the fight was called to a halt.

It saw the 38-year-old from Carlisle defeated for the first time after previous triumphs against Terry Brazier, Darren Godfrey and Anthony Holmes.

Christie, speaking on his YouTube channel after the fight, accepted he had lost to the better man at BKFC 55 Leeds.

Christie was knocked down three times by Warren in Leeds (Image: BKFC)

"He smashed me to bits," admitted Christie, saying he had full respect for Warren.

"I wasn't myself. These things happen. I apologise to the BKFC for my post-fight conduct as well - passions are high and, as a fighting man, you want to continue.

"But this is the fight game. It's unforgiving and can be incredibly painful on your emotions.

"When I looked back at the fight, maybe if I was the referee I would have stopped it as well."

Christie said he would now take some time off "and think about what's next".

Jared Warren celebrates his first-round victory over Currock's Christie (Image: BKFC)

"I made a promise to myself at the start of this bare-knuckle journey that if I ever got merked, I should walk away," he added.

"I've seen so many of my favourite fighters stick around in the game for too long and it's sad to see.

"I might come again, I might not. It's time for some family time and a break."

Thanks to BKFC for the photographs in this article.