James “Lights Out” Lilley is used to the confused looks at this point.
It’s not every day you meet a world-famous bare knuckle fighter who’s also a prolific poet. But here is Lilley preparing for the biggest fight of his life and the upcoming publishing of his newest collection, The Warrior Poet.
“One of my sponsors, JES Group, was talking with me in the gym the other day and they still couldn’t quite put poetry and bare knuckle together,” Lilley says with a laugh.
“Writing has been going well,” he adds. “But I find it harder to find time during fight camp.”
Lilley is preparing diligently for BKFC 60 on April 6, where he’ll challenge Franco Tenaglia for the inaugural BKFC European Lightweight Championship in Milton Keynes, UK, LIVE worldwide on The BKFC App.
Lilley is a man of words, but he only needs one to describe the magnitude of his championship bout at BKFC 60 – ”massive.”
“I’m coming off a loss and a little spell of inactivity, so people are probably thinking I've fallen off a little. But I was in the gym and sparring weeks before this fight was made,” Lilley adds. “I’m not sleeping on Franco. He's a tough mofo. But to be crowned the first BKFC European Champion and get myself back in the world title picture is what I need. That's all I think about.”
The belt will be a lot more than a decoration for the Welshman's mantle.
“It will mean everything,” he says.
“It’s a historic moment for me, BKFC and Europe. It will validate the 24 years that I’ve put into combat sports. Also, the kids will love it!”
