Founder and president of 3D Fight Club Dougie Joyce is hoping to change people's perception of bare-knuckle boxing and MMA at his upcoming Manchester event.
Joyce founded the combat sport organisation two years ago and believes the concept is unique. Across the course of an evening, those in attendance and everyone watching on Fite TV see a range of different disciplines inside the octagon.
At 3DFC's Last Man Standing event on June 17, fans will be able to see traditional boxing, kickboxing, MMA and bare-knuckle boxing all on the same card. Bare-knuckle does not have a governing body regulating the sport but Joyce, speaking to MEN Sport, wants to end the stigma surrounding a sport he has grown up with.
"We have created this because people have made it sound barbaric," Joyce said. "So people will be afraid to approach it and think 'oh it's bare-knuckle, oh it's bloody, it's this, that and the other'.
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"But it is really not that bad. You have got your medics, you've got your referees, everything is all done professionally. I am proud to say every show I have had, there has been not one problem, no kick off, no violence.
"Everybody who comes has a good night and what we are doing is making it kid friendly too, 16 upwards, allowing them to come down and enjoy the show. We want to encourage families to come down and enjoy a great evening."
For Joyce, running shows in Manchester means the world. Born in Openshaw, he has taken pride in bringing his new venture to his home city. Despite having held all his shows to present in Manchester, Joyce admitted there may come a time when he takes events to other locations. But he reassured fans, Manchester will remain a special place for 3DFC.
"Like I say, Manchester is ours," he added. "We love the atmosphere of the Manchester people. We have had offers elsewhere to collaborate so it is definitely on the cards [to put on shows elsewhere]. We'll be in London, we could be in Scotland, we could be in any part of the country. This is only going to get bigger and bigger."
Joyce is putting on a 10-fight card on June 17 and it will be co-main evented by Kris George vs John Walker and Glenn Moore vs Kieran Russell. Also on the card is:
- Ryley Stansbury vs Tony McIntosh
- Mahamed Amur vs Elliot Moss
- Conor Palombella vs Stephan Murray
- Tom Stack vs Seamus Devlin
- Lukasz Kuziola vs Kofi Marshall
- Brandon Harden vs TBC
- Dale McFarland vs David Adams
- Leroy Fearon vs TBC
Tickets for the next 3DFC event can be purchased via the QR code above.
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