Bittersweet joy for Portsmouth sensation Stevie Devenport after taking to world stage
Bare-knuckle fighter Stevie Devenport represented Portsmouth on the world stage in Birmingham on Saturday.
Portsmouth ace Stevie Devenport admitted his dreams came true as he made his BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) debut last Saturday.
And despite his fourth-round TKO against Nathan Leeson, the 32-year-old admitted it was a ‘brilliant’ experience to showcase his talents on the main stage.
Davenport made his debut in one of bare-knuckle boxing’s main events in Birmingham on Saturday in front of the 7,400 in attendance as well as the DAZN cameras.
It represented the lightweight’s first bout on the BKFC ranks, having achieved four wins and four knockouts in his first four fights on the UBBF (United British Boxing Federation) BKB (Bare-Knuckle Boxing) stage.
But the Portsmouth talent tasted defeat on debut as he fell to a fourth-round TKO against Leeson, who is a former BKB world champion.
Despite the loss, Devenport shared his joy and delight as he made his mark on the global stage at BKFC 90.
Speaking to No Bones Fight Talk after the fight, he said: ‘It felt amazing, this was what I dreamed of from day dot. So walking out, I just took it all in and it was brilliant. I loved it.
‘I caught him, I knew he went down and I could see it in his face it broke him down but he got back up.
‘I knew he was going to be on his bike, I knew he was going to move and that’s where I struggled a little bit.
‘He closed my eye up and he was just an amazing fighter. He’s brilliant.
‘He showed me there were levels here tonight but it was brilliant.’
Amidst a crowd of 7,492 at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, there was a strong contingent of supporters from the south coast.
Devenport revealed 90 members of his family and friends made the trip to the West Midlands to show their love ahead of his BKFc debut.
‘About 90 people I think I worked out, a few of the guys bought tickets online last minute.
‘It worked out to about 90 so they all made the trip up to see me and it was brilliant. I really appreciate all of their support.’