In a recent bare-knuckle boxing event, BKFC: KnuckleMania IV, Ben Rothwell emerged victorious against Todd Duffee, yet his win was met with a sense of dissatisfaction. The match saw ‘Big’ Ben swiftly knock down Duffee, a fellow former UFC fighter, who after an exchange, seemed unable to continue, prompting the referee to call an end to the bout. Rothwell was declared the winner by first-round TKO, but the fight’s abrupt conclusion left him wanting more.
Duffee’s inability to continue was attributed to a stinger in his shoulder, a type of nerve injury that can cause temporary paralysis. Despite his victory, Rothwell expressed his disappointment in the ring, lamenting the anticlimactic end to a highly anticipated heavyweight clash. The 42-year-old fighter conveyed his frustration, stating that he had intended to deliver a knockout for the fans and that the premature end to the fight was beyond his control.
Rothwell acknowledged his ambition for a title shot within the BKFC, indicating that a dominant victory over Duffee would have bolstered his case. He felt that the chance to showcase a clean knockout was snatched from him, yet he reassured fans of his commitment and promised to engage with them, especially after securing the heavyweight title.
In a celebratory post-fight Instagram video, Rothwell called out the reigning BKFC heavyweight champion, Mick Terrill. Despite the fight not going as he had hoped, Rothwell cheered his TKO win and hinted at his intention to pursue the title, showing his eagerness to challenge Terrill for the heavyweight crown.
BKFC president David Feldman weighed in on Rothwell’s future during the post-fight press conference, suggesting that a title shot against Mick Terrill could be on the horizon. Feldman joked about Rothwell’s desire for the title shot before confirming that a match between Terrill and Rothwell would be a sensible next step. He highlighted both fighters’ recent successes and their support for the organization, hinting that fans might expect an official announcement soon regarding the potential heavyweight title bout.
