Carlisle’s Danny Christie says he’s aiming for the “jackpot” as he bids to become BKFC bare-knuckle world champion this weekend.
Christie fights David Mundell in Marbella on Saturday night for the world middleweight title.
The 39-year-old from Currock is aiming to become a double BKFC champion having previously been British light-heavyweight champion.
He says his contest against American champion Mundell in Spain is the biggest fight of his life.
“I know him [Mundell] and his team haven’t given me a prayer in this fight and that’s where I want to be - the underdog” said Christie.
“He might be levels above me, but I’ll be in there, and I’ll test his chin. I’ve been beaten, battered and kicked all my life and I’ve never given up.
“I’m 39, and the window for me to perform at my best is closing. Praise God I’m here and I’ve got the ability to do what I’ve been chosen to do.
“I’ve not come into the biggest fight in my life to mess around. I’m coming for the jackpot.”
Christie earned his shot at the middleweight title by defeating Jimmy Millar in Newcastle in June.
That was his first middleweight fight, after he moved weight divisions following five contests at light-heavyweight.
He won the British title when defeating Anthony Holmes in Leeds in April 2023, following wins over Terry Brazier and Darren Godfrey.
After defeat to American Jared Warren, Christie bounced back to defend his UK title against David Round before vacating the belt to switch to middleweight.
His fight against Mundell is one of the top fights on the bill at BKFC on DAZN: Spain. The two men appeared at a pre-event press conference in Marbella on Thursday.
Speaking as part of an earlier BKFC promotion, the Carlisle boxer added: “It’s like a dream come true. I’ve only been doing this two years, and I’m fighting for a world title.
“Words can’t really describe the feeling I was going through when this fight got made.
“It’s a massive opportunity, a massive platform. What a moment.
“It’s just raw – for me, [bare-knuckle is] the most gangster form of combat sports. Nothing comes close to it. There’s no pretenders in this game. It is what it is.
“I’m always asking for the best available opponents. I know I’m not the best fighter in the world, I’m well aware of that, but I want to face the best fighters in the world. I want to test myself against the best men in bare-knuckle. And that’s what I’ve got, number one in Dave Mundell.
“Things happen for a reason. It’s either for me or it’s not. What’s meant for us in this life won’t pass us by.
“It’s an honour and privilege to fight for the BKFC on the big stage. What a moment, praise God. It’s the biggest show they’ve ever had, the biggest I’ve had anything to do with.
“I’m nothing. I come from nowhere – and nobody saw me coming. People can expect to see an everyday, working-class, Joe Bloggs fighting his heart out on the biggest stage the BKFC has put on – gladiatorial, primal, throwback.
“I can’t wait to get ripped into him, and he’s in for a surprise.”
Mundell, meanwhile, has dismissed Christie’s chances in his own public comments ahead of tomorrow's fight.
The Florida boxer has won eight and lost one of his BKFC fights, and has been world middleweight champion since December 2022.
The 33-year-old former MMA (mixed martial arts) star said: “Backstage before all my fights is always a rollercoaster of emotions. I never know how I’m going to feel in the moment.
“But with this one, I don’t think I’m going to have much concern. I’m going to go out there and be having the time of my life. I’m going to have some fun.
“I know I can beat Danny Christie, because I’m just a way better fighter than him, I’m just as tough as he is, and I’ve been doing this a long time.
“He mentioned something about being in prison and only starting fighting two years ago. There’s levels to this and he’s not ready for it.
“Danny has bitten off way more than he can handle. When it comes time to fight and that bell rings, he’s going to find out really fast. Whatever he decides to do I’m gonna make him pay for it.
“I’m not very impressed with his skill set. He’s just a basic boxer.
“You can expect a highlight-reel KO.”
The BKFC on DAZN: Spain show is live on subscription channel DAZN. Click HERE for more information.
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