Ben Fail admits he was ‘told to retire’ as spectacular injury comeback continues with latest KO win

Fail, who was fighting on the undercard of Denzel Bentley’s middleweight showdown with Danny Dignum, dispatched his opponent in the very first round.

Lutic hadn’t been stopped in his professional career prior to his clash with Fail, making Big Ben’s success all more impressive.

The 27-year-old Brit is making up for lost time after spending two-and-a-half years on the sidelines with a hand injury.

A ?????? night's work for @BenFail ?⚡#BentleyDignum | 19.00 | @boxingontnt pic.twitter.com/NSWMaXC6rh

— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) May 11, 2024

Upon winning his professional debut in 2020, Fail damaged his hand – an injury which led to specialists advising the boxer to give up the sport.

The Brit ignored the advice and returned to the ring in 2023. Fail remains unbeaten as a professional, boasting six victories and five stoppages.

Speaking to Queensberry after his victory over Lutic, he said: “I got told to retire twice, I got told to give up boxing. I came back.

“I wasn’t sure if my hand was going to be ok after two three years. I said ‘f**k it’. I’m going to come back and give it everything I’ve got. And come back better.”

Looking back at his TKO win, he added: “I caught him to the body early. I thought I hurt him. He was complaining, saying to stop it so I carried on.

“Obviously, he lost his gum shield. I knew from then he was hurt, and I knew I could catch him so I stopped him again.”

Earlier on the card, Oronzo Birardi improved his unbeaten record to 7-0 with a points win over Milans Volkovs.

Khalid Ali also extended his undefeated professional record to 7-0 after outpointing John Henry Mosquera over six rounds.