Sam Shewmaker decimated Eric Prindle in less than twenty seconds at BKFC 1. This popular highlight took place on June 2nd, 2018 and we’re now approaching the five-year anniversary of that inaugural event for the company.
Shewmaker spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before this landmark checkpoint in the sport. Excerpts from the chat are below.
Sam Shewmaker
What were your thoughts on getting a bare-knuckle boxing offer in Summer 2018 when the sport had been dormant domestically for over a century prior?
“You know I was super excited. I initially got involved with bare-knuckle because I went to one of the tryouts there in Philly. The actual first ones that they had and I ended up making enough of an impression where they wanted to put me on the first show. So just super excited about it. You know just, had never done it legally before (laughs).”
Sam Shewmaker continued, “I had some amateur fights and then some professional boxing matches. So I was excited to jump on the old but yet new bare-knuckle fighting. So it was an honor to be invited and just super stoked whenever I got the invite.”
Sam Shewmaker vs Eric Prindle
What was the sensation like landing that emphatic KO that has become such a widely replayed moment in the history of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship?
“I’ve hit quite a few people bare handed so I knew the feeling. But as far as like doing it like that on that big a stage. In front of the cameras and the lights and everything. Some of the big-time names that were ringside watching. Of course, all of the people in the world watching on TV and for years later on the internet, it was just awesome. It was like hitting a home run. It really was.”
Sam Shewmaker continued, “It was a great feeling and my uncle and brothers and a bunch of my friends, we all went out there. They made the long trip from where we’re at to go and watch. So it was quite a feeling for us. Getting that win and in that type of fashion too. That’s what you want to see. When people watch the heavyweights fight, they want to watch that big knockout and you know, that’s what we got. So it was awesome.”
BKFC 1
How aware were you of Prindle’s profile before this prize-fight and is it difficult to game plan for something like this being that it’s such a different combat sport than what both of you had previously done?
“Yeah, for sure. You know, he is a well-known fighter. A real big veteran in combat sports. He had a really big amateur background. A very successful one then of course he won one of the tournaments there in Bellator as well as a heavyweight. Just he had a lot of film and stuff out there on him. So we were able to study up on him and see what kind of fighter he was.”
Sam Shewmaker continued, “Big, powerful guy. Big strong guy; he looks like a gladiator from back in the day. So yeah, we were very aware of what he was, who he was, and what he could do. So we feel like we kind of had a little bit of an advantage there. Just because there wasn’t much on me out there. So he didn’t get a lot to study as far as that.”
What were the feelings like pulling up to the arena on fight day and what was the general atmosphere like backstage?
“Definitely very unique being able to be a part of such a big event. The inaugural, first event, it was televised. So first time I had been on a live televised event. So just super excited and just yeah, almost like it was a dream. A dream come true, you know, all that hard work and all the years of preparation. Not knowing what my journey was going to entail. To be invited and be a part of something like that was definitely a dream come true.”
BKFC
Parting thoughts for Sam Shewmaker
“Just want to thank my wife, my kids, and my family. All my training partners and coaches, without them I wouldn’t have been able to go do what I did. There was many sacrifices. Not just on my part but on theirs. All the hard work and tireless hours that we put into the training and the preparation to get there and the sacrifices.”
“So just a big shout-out to all of them and the fans, without them we wouldn’t be where we are today. Just thank all of them very much with all my heart and I love you guys. So, appreciate your time, Dylan.
