Former world champion Austin Trout recreated Apollo Creed’s famous entrance from Rocky IV before being knocked senseless in a brutal second-round defeat at BKFC Liberty Brawl.

Trout entered the arena in Philadelphia wearing the star-spangled colors made famous by Creed as “Living in America” played during the elaborate walkout.

The timing could hardly have been more fitting on the Fourth of July.

Unfortunately for Trout, what followed also carried an uncomfortable Rocky IV resemblance without the dramatic ending to the Creed vs. Drago fight.

Ben Bonner dropped the former super welterweight champion heavily with a right hand in the second round. Trout attempted to get back to his feet, but his equilibrium was completely gone.

The 40-year-old lost his balance and fell over again before the fight was waved off.

Trout had entered like Apollo Creed. Minutes later, he was unable to move without falling over.

Apollo Creed Entrance

Hours before the fight, Conor McGregor had talked up Trout’s attempt to become a two-division BKFC champion.

“This is one hell of a fighter! Already a two sport world champion in boxing and bare knuckle, he now aims to move higher in the echelon of ALL TIME FIGHTING GREATS, by becoming Champ Champ of bareknucklefc!” McGregor stated.

Instead, Trout’s five-fight winning run in bare-knuckle boxing came to a violent end.

The former titleholder had built one of the most successful crossover careers of any boxer to enter BKFC.

Trout defeated Luis Palomino in 2024 to win the BKFC welterweight world title, becoming the first gloved boxing world champion to claim a BKFC championship.

“I’m going to be here for a long time, so get tired of me – I’m not going anywhere,” Trout said after winning the belt.

Two years later, Bonner brought that unbeaten BKFC run to an emphatic halt.

Austin Trout Knocked Senseless

Trout has shared the ring with Canelo Alvarezwon world titles with and without gloves, and spent more than two decades fighting at the highest level.

His move into bare-knuckle boxing was not a one-off payday. Trout committed to the sport, conquered a divisionand attempted to add another title at 40.

Whatever happens next, Trout’s success in BKFC has already made him a trailblazer for boxers who decide to compete in alternate codes after their traditional ring careers are over.

But nothing in his career produced an ending quite like the one that followed his Apollo Creed entrance in Philadelphia.

Bonner’s right hand left Trout swaying from side to side and unable to find his feet. The former world champion was conscious and trying to stand, but his body would not cooperate.

If the defeat proves to be the end, Trout can retire with his head held high.

He just may never watch Rocky IV the same way again.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.

Anthony Joshua has named the two standout wins of his career, remembering the immense pressure attached to both contests.

In terms of magnitude, it must be said that his showdown with Wladimir Klitschko was the most significant, given the manner in which it unfolded at Wembley Stadium.

At the time, in April 2017, Joshua was the unbeaten IBF champion and had won every fight by stoppage, swiftly becoming the biggest star in British boxing.

Klitschko, meanwhile, had not fought since getting dethroned by Tyson Furywho upset the odds by scoring a unanimous decision victory when they collided in November 2015.

Yet the Ukrainian was still a serviceable operator at world level and, after getting dropped in round five, he stunned the Wembley crowd by flooring Joshua in the following frame.

‘AJ’ then ultimately scored an 11th-round stoppage and, given the manner in which he did so, was able to reach a new level of stardom.

During a conversation with Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn and Frank Smith on DAZNthough, the 36-year-old named wins over Dillian Whyte and Andy Ruiz Jr as his absolute best.

“Klitschko – a lot of pressure. Ruiz 2 – immense pressure. But what was the best win? Can I pick two?

“I would probably pick Dillian Whyte – maddest fight. Good, good scrap. And then [I would pick] Ruiz 2, because people were saying I should retire and that, if I didn’t win, I’d have no chance of getting back in the heavyweight rankings.”

Joshua stopped Whyte in round seven of their all-British grudge match in 2015, before exacting his revenge over Ruiz just under four years later.

After losing their first encounter via a major upset, which resulted in a sixth-round stoppage, ‘AJ’ kept to a strict gameplan and unanimously outpointed his Mexican-American rival.

“I want to hurt him,” Joshua said to DAZN Boxing when discussing the fight. “It’s not nothing to do with him. It’s just me. It’s just I believe in myself, and I know I can do it, and I want to prove to myself I’m a serious wrecking machine. I got dynamite in both hands, and I want to punch with bad intentions.”

Joshua said his comments were not personal toward Prenga.

“You got to take him out. You got to have the right mindset, the know-how and have full belief in yourself,” Joshua said.

The 36-year-old also acknowledged that the pressure surrounding the fight extends beyond his opponent. Joshua said he feels responsibility to perform, secure a victory and move on to the marquee fight he has targeted next.

“I want to perform. I want to win. I want to fight Fury,” Joshua said. “I’ve got an obligation to my fans.”

Earlier in the interview, Joshua admitted that it has been difficult not to think beyond Prenga because of the opportunities that could follow.

“It is on Prenga, but it’s also on Fury because I want it all,” Joshua said. “I’ve mentioned in this interview now, undisputed, world champion, Prenga, Fury, I want it all.”

Joshua faces Prenga on July 25 in what is expected to be a tune-up ahead of a potential showdown with Tyson Fury later this year.

A convincing performance would keep those plans on track, but Joshua made it clear that he is aiming to send a stronger message than simply winning. Joshua meets Prenga on July 25 in Saudi Arabia. A victory is expected to move him toward the Tyson Fury fight he repeatedly discussed during the interview.