By James Bovington

Carlisle's Josh Monkhouse is celebrating having proved “just what I’m made of” as he won his debut bare-knuckle fight.

Monkhouse, 21, defeated Callum Fuller by first round knockout at the recent WBKBIII show in Whitehaven.

The Cumbrian trains at Mapogos Fight Club in Carlisle and described his victory as a “phenomenal buzz” as he looks to make a big impact on the bare-knuckle scene.

Monkhouse said of his bantamweight fight in west Cumbria: “The truth is I was calm and relaxed, and I executed my game plan perfectly setting up my shots.

“I countered everything he threw at me. I soon knocked him down. Then it was an overhand right followed by a powerful left uppercut to his nose.

“I got an early knockout in front of some big names from the BKFC including the president [Andy Bakewell].”

Former Caldew School student Monkhouse, who works as a scaffolder, wants to be the latest Cumbrian to make his mark in bare-knuckle boxing.

“My first bout had been on Streetbeefz in Consett wearing 4oz gloves, and I also won that by knockout,” he said.

“I got inspired to box and do the bare-knuckle by Danny Christie from Carlisle who has gone right to the top of BKFC.

“I love boxing and for me it’s as real as it gets, taking punches and giving them back.

“Bare-knuckle, though, is a whole different experience to boxing and the buzz was phenomenal. Words cannot describe the feeling.”

Monkhouse trains in Carlisle up to five times a week and also goes to Liverpool every Saturday for a training session with a professional coach.

“My only hobby is boxing,” he added. “I’m obsessed and work very hard to get better than I was yesterday. I relax with my girlfriend Sophie but then it’s quickly back to the grind.

“I’m good at staying calm and relaxed and that’s how I felt in my bare-knuckle.

“I take the risk of being in danger because in this game it’s to hit and not get hit so you don’t get cut or knocked out, and I do a good job of that.

“I’ve also proved in both fights just how tough, rock hard even, I can be.”

Monkhouse is seeking sponsorship to back his ambition to reach the elite level of bare-knuckle boxing. Anyone interested in helping can contact Josh via Facebook or by emailing josh.ajmonk@gmail.com.