Jesse Ronson Targets Historic Bare-Knuckle Boxing & Gamebred MMA Titles

Canadian fighter Jesse Ronson is set to headline BKB 52: No Turning Back on March 28th, where he will challenge Cub Hawkins for the BKB Championship. While securing a title is a significant achievement, Ronson sees this as an opportunity to carve his name deeper into combat sports history, expressing immense confidence in his preparation.

Ronson revealed that his training camp has been exceptionally smooth, calling it "probably the sharpest I felt... ever." He described his current state as optimal, with improved speed, power, reactions, timing, and distance control, noting that those around him are impressed by his resurgence at 40. Despite this being his inaugural world title bout against a formidable opponent like Cub Hawkins—a multi-division champion with an impressive 9-1 record who recently defeated Barrie Jones—Ronson feels no pressure. His primary motivation is the chance to become the first Canadian bare-knuckle boxing champion. He envisions the prestigious Police Gazette belt displayed prominently and emphasizes that this ambition drives him to train smartly and prioritize rest, practices he admits he should have adopted earlier in his career but is grateful to implement now.

When questioned if this peak condition was a result of his focused preparation and unique historical aspiration, Ronson elaborated:

Ronson articulated the immense motivational power of this goal, having researched and found no record of a Canadian bare-knuckle boxing champion in modern history. He acknowledges that not everyone grasps the significance, but for him, the prospect of being the first is monumental. While many expected him to pursue an MMA world title given his background, Ronson believes being a world champion in any combat sport signifies being "the best in the world at something," a rare distinction.

He confidently declared his intention to be the world's best at 175 pounds in bare-knuckle boxing, inviting challengers like Mike Perry or Dave Mundell to face him, provided the financial incentive is right for a co-promotion. The thought of representing millions of Canadians as the first champion fills him with an "incredible feeling" and removes any perceived pressure. He asserted his unwavering belief in victory, feeling "I can't lose," attributing this conviction to his two decades of experience and the weight of Canadian history. He believes previous Canadian contenders might have faltered, but his moment has arrived against Cub Hawkins, stating, "The universe won't let me lose. It's our time. Go Canada."

Jesse Ronson Sets Sights on Bare-Knuckle Boxing and Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA Titles

Jesse Ronson's entry into bare-knuckle boxing always seemed a natural fit, but his dominant performance against a seasoned veteran like Ryan Jett significantly amplified expectations for his potential in the sport.

Reflecting on his BKB debut against Jett, Ronson noted how his performance surpassed the high expectations for the Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA veteran:

Ronson affirmed that he anticipated a challenging entry, facing Ryan Jett in what was Jett's tenth bare-knuckle fight, including multiple title challenges against top champions. Dominating such a seasoned opponent impressed spectators and officials alike. He recounted how, post-fight, fans immediately pressed matchmaker Mel Valenzuela for his title shot, despite Valenzuela initially insisting Ronson needed "one or two more" fights. Ronson wryly observed that those additional fights weren't ultimately necessary, hinting that the matchmaker might have already known his title shot was imminent in the competitive 175-pound division. He acknowledged that some might be upset by him "skipping the line" but offered reassurance.

Ronson confidently stated his plan to defeat Cub Hawkins, then pursue the Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA welterweight title to become the first-ever champion in that division, both globally and for Canada. Post-title wins, he expressed interest in fighting Barrie Jones before exploring further opportunities. Beyond the historical titles and legitimacy, Ronson revealed a deeper motivation: after a career where "MMA and fighting has taken everything from me," he sees this as an opportunity to "take something back" and finally achieve significant financial rewards.