A rising west Cumbrian bare-knuckle boxing star has earned a fight on the big BKFC stage next weekend.
Bartek Kanabey, from Maryport, will take on Russian Bakhtyor Kudratov at BKFC 60 card in Milton Keynes.
The Polish-born boxer has been handed his big chance after winning two titles at the WBKB events in west Cumbria.
It means there will be two Cumbrians fighting on the big stage at Planet Ice on Saturday, April 6, with Carlisle’s Danny Christie also defending his British title on the same evening.
Kanabey’s BKFC debut in a lightweight bout on the undercard was confirmed soon after he claimed the British featherweight title at WBKB II on Saturday.
His coach, Dave Straughton from Just Grind MMA Academy in Workington, said it is a huge opportunity for the talented 26-year-old, who is nicknamed ‘the Polish Plough’.
“He’s got a really good opponent – a Russian lad who’s had over 200 fights, and Bartek’s only had ten. But we believe in him,” said Straughton.
“He’s really talented, and he’s really up for it. You’ve got to grab these opportunities.”
Kanabey won the lightweight title at the first WBKB show in west Cumbria last year before adding a second belt last weekend.
“He’s a double champion in bare-knuckle, and he’s had six wins and a draw in boxing, winning his last six,” coach Straughton added.
“He just got in touch with BKFC, to give them an update, and they have found this opportunity for him.
“It’s not the ideal fight – we want to go to bantamweight, and this chance is at lightweight, so rather than going down a weight it’s going back up one.
“But it’s a great opportunity, a great show and we believe in him.
“It’s a big ring, with lots of room to move, and he’s very slick and hard to hit, and that’s the magic with bare-knuckle.”
Kanabey moved to Cumbria in his teens having previously been a promising footballer in Poland.
“I think he was seen as too little – but football’s loss was my gain,” Straughton added.
“He had a fight or two before the Covid lockdown, and then as soon as he could start training outside – I was coaching people down Isabella Road in Workington – he came down in the first week and said he wanted to be a pro fighter.
“We were training three or four times a week, and when we got back in the gym he just carried on.
“He’s the hardest worker in the gym, the most consistent lad in the gym, and you get the rewards for that.
“He’s always trying to get better, always pushing himself. He doesn’t just turn up for training – he’s so focused.”
Having fought so recently, Kanabey defeating Nathan Thompson at WBKB II at Lillyhall, he will now focus on fine-tuning his preparation for the BKFC event which comes only two weeks on from that bout.
“He came out unscathed on Saturday, it took him 33 seconds to throw the shot that finished him,” said Straughton.
“We’ll just keep him ticking over until the day. We’re not going to make any massive changes now. He’s in great shape.
“BKFC is the biggest bare-knuckle promotion in the world. When bare-knuckle started it was lads fighting in haybales and I had no interest. But it’s a legit sport now, with lots of ex-UFC and pro boxers involved.
“It’s growing all the time and the sport is getting better, being presented better.
“For me it’s more exciting in boxing. One shot can change a fight in boxing but not to the extent it can in BKB. You’ve got to be very savvy and have a slick defence and that’s what we feel Bartek’s best at.”
Kanabey will be well supported in Milton Keynes – and will be flying the flag of his adopted homeland.
“A bunch of lads from the gym and a bunch of his mates from Maryport will be going down – there’ll be a good few Cumbrians in there,” added Straughton.
“Before the WBKB I had a flag made for him – a half Poland, half Cumberland flag. We’ll be taking that down. He describes himself as a Polish Cumbrian.”
Top of the bill at BKFC 60 Milton Keynes, meanwhile, will be Currock fighter Christie's contest with David Round as the Cumbrian defends his British light-heavyweight title.
For more information on BKFC 60 Milton Keynes visit the BKFC website HERE
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