Error code: %{errorCode}
British fighter has Rocky Balboa moment after destroying former rival of Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto
At the risk of sounding like one of those smug hipster types who flex one-liners such as “I was into oat milk when it was just oats and water in my sink,” I did actually know Ben Bonner before you did. We worked together for a drug and alcohol charity in the North East of England more than a decade ago.
Looking back at that time, in about five years of working together he never mentioned fighting once. I don’t think I ever saw him lose his temper. He was on the most laid back lads you could ever wish to meet and remains the only person I know to turn up late for an 11pm night shift because – and I quote - “I slept in”.
Allergic to stress, he was about as laid back as it gets back then.
He relocated down south and we lost touch, so you can imagine my surprise when I was watching another friend on a BKFC bill in London in 2023 and there he was – large as life - on the undercard. He was in shape, but still recognisable by that easy smile.
He’s doing OK now. In fact, he’s the new BKFC lightweight world champion after a sublime KO victory over Austin Trout at the sold out Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Friday night.
Trout - the former WBA light-middleweight world champion as a boxer - was heavily favoured going in but was caught flush on the chin by a right hand delivered straight from hell.
It was Trout’s first bare-knuckle defeat but a victory that has launched Bonner into the big time.
Speaking to an elated new champion a day or so after the fight ‘The Bomber’ said: “It’s been some trip. Not many people were giving me a chance going in, but I’ve been confident since the fight was signed. We put the work in, and it’s paid off.
“Respect to Trout – he’s a warrior - but this is my time. Shout out to Tommy Ward (former British super-bantamweight champion) who gave me some quality sparring in the UK before we flew out. Craig Morfitt in my corner – I owe him so much – he helped me get my tactics right. It’s been a real team effort.”
Trout was a piping hot 2/9 favourite in the betting going in. Bonner is known in BKFC for his boxing skills, smart footwork and counter-striking instincts, but the bookies obviously thought a lad from the Grobe Hill council estate of Middlesbrough wouldn’t be able to outbox a man who once beat the great Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden and who also fought Canelo Alvarez.
Turns out the bookies’ crystal ball needed polishing, with Bonner tearing up the script to become world champion.
He was confident all week, strutting around the City of Brotherly Love perpetually without a shirt on and seemingly without a care in the world.
When asked about his tactics on the night Bonner beamed: “This was no fluke. I knew he’d want to box so I was on him from the first round, making it uncomfortable. And that finish wasn’t bad, was it?”
It wasn’t bad at all, and the fact he won the title in Philadelphia was very fitting. Much like Middlesbrough, the city’s story has not been one of Government investment and effortless ascent. It has been built in rough shipyards and factories, stitched together by generations who understood that tomorrow’s meal depended upon today’s labour.
With a nod to Rocky Balboa – the unofficial patron saint of Philadelphia and the ultimate underdog story – Philly is a city that has embraced athletes who seem like unlikely heroes.
The Rocky comparisons are hard to ignore. Indeed, Trout came out to this Liberty Brawl main event in tribute to the late, great Apollo Creed. Decked out in the signature star-spangled trunks a la Rocky IV – he made his way to toe the line as a singer sporting the most dubious wig you will see this year crooned James Brown’s ‘Living in America’.
But the night belonged to the man from Teesside.
Asked about his future plans Bonner deadpanned: “Let’s just enjoy this first, eh? To headline on the 4th of July weekend in America and then become world champion has been incredible.
“I’ll tell you this though, I’m the man in this division now. Line them up and I’ll go through the lot of them. Up the Boro!”
Philadelphia has always understood that underdogs are not defined by weakness. They are defined by the willingness to continue after stronger
people expect them to stop. And wherever his career takes him after this, Ben Bonner will always have Philadelphia.
Joshua vs. Prenga - exclusively on DAZN PPV
Watch Anthony Joshua's hugely anticipated return to the ring versus Kristian Prenga on Saturday, July 25 only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Itauma vs. Hrgovic and Canelo vs. Mbilli PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
