Jesse Ronson is gearing up to headline BKB 52: No Turning Back on March 28th, where he will vie for Cub Hawkins’ BKB Championship. While securing a championship title is a significant achievement on its own, Ronson sees an even greater opportunity to solidify his place in history.
“I’m feeling great, my training is going incredibly smoothly. This is arguably the sharpest I’ve ever felt in a training camp. Everything is just clicking – my speed and power are at their peak. My reactions, timing, and distance control are phenomenal. Everyone who trains with me is amazed, saying it’s like hitting my prime all over again at 40.”
“As I’ve said, I’ve never been this ‘on,’ and I feel supremely confident and focused for this fight. People ask about the pressure – of course, it’s my first world title fight against a legend like Cub Hawkins, who is a two or three-division world champion with a 9-1 record, having just beaten Barrie Jones, whom I’ve wanted to fight.”
“It’s a huge challenge, but more importantly, it’s about becoming the first Canadian ever to win a bare-knuckle title. That Police Gazette belt is incredible; I envision it sitting right in front of me. I want it so badly, and it’s incredibly motivating. I’m doing everything right, taking the necessary rest days, and training smarter – something I should have done my whole career, but it’s better late than never.”
When asked if this optimized state stems from these significant factors, Jesse Ronson confirmed its profound impact.
“It’s just so incredibly motivating. I’ve asked people, ‘Are you sure you’re going to be the first Canadian bare-knuckle boxing champion in history?’ I tell them if they can find another, I’d like to know, because I haven’t. If there’s been a Canadian champion, it wasn’t in my lifetime, and nobody knows who it is. I’ve researched and found nothing.”
“The feeling is indescribable. I wish I could explain the magnitude of making history. Some people might not think it’s a big deal, but for others, it’s huge. There has never been a bare-knuckle Canadian champion – that’s massive, especially for me. People often ask, ‘You started in MMA, don’t you want to be an MMA world champion?’ I say, ‘Being a world champion in anything means you’re the best in the world at something,’ which very few people can claim.”
“To be able to say I am the best in the world at 175 pounds in bare-knuckle boxing, people might bring up Mike Perry or Dave Mundell. Well, if they want it, they can come get it – just show me the money, because I’m sure BKB would love a co-promotion. But to achieve that and be the first Canadian for millions of my compatriots, it’s an incredible feeling. There is no pressure.”
“I’m going to go out there and win. It feels so good; I feel like I can’t lose because I’m meant to be the first. I know there have been others, like Jade Masson-Wong, who had a title shot in BKFC, and other Canadians who had opportunities. But where they failed, I won’t, because I feel that with over 20 years of my career and all my experience against someone like Cub Hawkins, I just can’t lose. The universe won’t let me lose. It’s our time. Go Canada!”
Jesse Ronson’s Championship Aspirations Extend to Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA
Jesse Ronson entered the realm of bare-knuckle boxing appearing as a natural fit, but his dispatching of a seasoned fighter like Ryan Jett, an established presence on the circuit, further underscored the vast potential he possesses.
Reflecting on how his debut against Jett surpassed the high expectations surrounding the Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA veteran’s BKB debut, Jesse Ronson remarked:
“Yes, 100%. I knew they weren’t going to do me any favors getting in. Ryan Jett was on his tenth fight, having fought for the title once or twice before and against three champions. He gave everyone a tough time; he’s a solid scrapper. To blow through that guy, they realized they’d never had a Canadian do that, let alone look so good.”
“Everyone wanted to see it again. It’s funny because afterward at the casino, everyone was asking the matchmaker, Mel Valenzuela, ‘So when is Ronson getting his title shot?’ He kept saying, ‘Whoa, whoa, he’s got to fight one or two more times.’ They replied, ‘Are you serious? You saw what this guy just did? You know the streak he’s been on, he’s Canadian.’ They knew it could be a really big market, a turning point. He was adamant about needing one or two more, but then it turned out I didn’t need them. I think he knew I was going to get the title shot anyway, as 175 is a stacked division. I’m just glad. I’m sure some people are probably annoyed I’m skipping the line, but you’ll get your turn.”
“Don’t worry. I’m going to take care of Cub Hawkins. Then I’m going to win the Gamebred bare-knuckle MMA title and become the first-ever bare-knuckle welterweight MMA champion in the world, let alone Canadian. Then I’ll come back, I’d love to fight Barrie Jones, and we’ll see what happens from there. I’m not done yet.”
“The goal is to win the world title and be the first ever, but the world title is one thing that gives legitimacy to my career. Now, MMA and fighting have taken everything from me, so I need to take something back. It’s finally time to start making some serious money.”