There’s nothing quite like it—the roar of the crowd, the lights, the buzz in the air. When you step into that ring, everything changes. You’re no longer just a fighter. You’re the show. And the eyes of the world—well, at least the ones in the crowd—are on you.

But what’s it really like to fight in front of a crowd? It’s something you can’t explain to anyone who hasn’t experienced it. The pressure, the adrenaline, the focus—it’s unlike anything else in life.

The Silence Before the Storm

The weird thing about fighting in front of a crowd is the silence before the first bell rings. When you’re in the locker room, you hear nothing. The crowd’s there, buzzing with anticipation, but it feels like a distant hum. It’s just you and your thoughts. The moment you step out, though? That hum becomes a roar.

The noise hits you, and in that instant, you know that this is real. It’s not just a sparring session or a training drill. This is the real deal. Like the notorious fights I have had with James McCrory, the energy is off the charts.

The Eye of the Storm

The minute that first bell rings, everything else fades. It’s you and your opponent. The crowd may be screaming, cheering, or jeering, but it’s just background noise now. It’s tunnel vision. All you’re focused on is the fight.

When you land a clean shot, when you feel the thud of a punch that lands just right, the crowd reacts. You can feel their energy surge through you. That’s when it hits you: You’re not just fighting for yourself anymore—you’re fighting for them too.

The High of Winning

There’s nothing like the feeling when the fight ends and you’ve given everything you have. When you hear the crowd erupt in cheers because you’ve come out on top, it’s like you’ve won more than just the fight. You’ve won their respect. You’ve given them something to remember.

—

Dave Radford is a former bare-knuckle boxing champion from Hemsworth, West Yorkshire. His experience in the ring and the real stories behind bare-knuckle boxing are featured in an explosive documentary by Newmount Films, now available to watch on Amazon Prime & on their website: www.nmfilms.co.uk