Introduction
Drawing from his background in boxing, MMA, and kickboxing, Joshua Whiteside stands out as a highly adaptable fighter. On March 28, 2026, he made a victorious debut in BKFC by defeating Isaiah Williams (0-1). His greatest strength lies in boxing, where he holds an amateur record of (4-0) and a professional record of (2-0). Since Whiteside’s dynamic fighting style is shaped by rigorous training across multiple disciplines, this enables him to adapt swiftly to different combat scenarios. Now, as he continues his journey in bare knuckle boxing, Whiteside’s versatility and relentless drive promise to make him a contender to watch in the sport.
Q&A
FightMatrix: Tell us about your childhood, family life, and where you grew up.
Joshua Whiteside: I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee with two brothers and a very hard-working family. I have always loved sports with my first love being basketball.
FM: Did you participate in sports as a kid; if so which one(s)?
JW: I played baseball, ran track and pole vaulted, ran across country and played a little bit of golf.
FM: What key aspect did you acquire through blending martial arts with boxing?
JW: Mainly the ability to switch stances and different defenses. Also, the physicality of wrestling and MMA play a huge part in bare knuckle boxing.
FM: You are a multi-faceted fighter with experience in various combat sports. Among all the disciplines you have tried, which one stands out as your favorite? Please share the reasons behind your preference, considering what aspects of that sport appeal to you the most.
JW: As for me I would say that bare knuckle boxing is my favorite. The unique thing about bare knuckle boxing is that since it’s a pressure sport, your counters will be super effective like shown in my last fight. I believe that I’m a counter puncher who can pressure so the uniqueness in my style fits the uniqueness of Bare-knuckle boxing.
FM: What do you believe works best in a street fight situation? Please explain the reasoning.
JW: first I would like to say that I don’t believe anyone should be fighting in the street, but if I had to choose one, it would be basic boxing. You wanna hit and not get hit then GET OUT OF THERE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.
FM: Why did you choose a career as a professional fighter?
JW: Really, I started out to just lose weight. I had no ambitions to be a fighter, but once I went to my first team practice, I fell in love with it. I love the process more than anything, and the camaraderie that I build with my teammates.
FM: Who is your favorite prized fighter of all time?
JW: My favorite fighter of all time is Sugar Ray Leonard. I just love his style and he was the first boxer that I see that really captured my attention. I I love Floyd Mayweather too his commitment to the game and defense was second to none.
FM: Who has been your biggest influence in your life?
JW: I would say the biggest influence on my career has been Jared Travis, my teammate and main corner man for most of my fights. When he came to the gym, I really started to feel confident, and I had somebody that was willing to go to the end of the Earth for me, so it made me more confident in my craft. Also, Jeff Denton has been a huge help to my pro career. He is so selfless and committed to getting me the best strength and conditioning along with a Great advice. Also, I would like to shout out C&C management, for the opportunities they have given me to achieve my goal of reaching the BKFC. Lastly, Brendan Shipton has been a promotor that has truly cared about me.
FM: What does a typical day of training look like for you?
JW: A normal day consists of running, mainly because I love to run and getting in the gym working with my teammates on a variety of things. The days I don’t hit the main gym, I try to do strengthening conditioning while also working on sprints
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FM: Is there anything that you want to share with our audience?
JW: I would like to tell the audience that I love you all for supporting me and if you are a fighter, you need to make sure that you are finding people who support you. Fighting is so much easier when you have people who believe in you and want to help you along with your journey. Use websites like sponsorfighters.com to find like-minded businesses and fighters to help you achieve your goals.
Conclusion
As we wrap up, Joshua Whiteside’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. From starting out just wanting to lose weight, to finding his passion in the ring, his story reminds us of all that the path to greatness often begins in unexpected ways. With his admiration for fighters like Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather showing his respect for the art, and his gratitude toward teammates like Jared Travis and mentors like Jeff Denton truly highlight the importance of community and support. Whether it’s running with your team, pushing through conditioning, or striving for your goals with C&C management and Brendan Shipton by your side, your dedication stands as a testament to the power of persistence and camaraderie. To everyone listening: take Joshua Whiteside’s advice to heart – find those who believe in you, lean on your support system, and use resources like sponsorfighters.com to connect with others on your journey. We can’t wait to see where Joshua’s passion and determination take him next, both in and outside the ring.
Combat Sports & Martial Arts Writer| Director of Partnerships & Marketing
I have been an avid viewer of Boxing and MMA for decades. Judo is the martial art that I most admire. At different periods in my life, I have practiced Judo. This piqued my interest in MMA since 2001. I had a 25 year career in healthcare and now I am pursuing my hobby and a new venture. Now I enjoy writing about combat sports and martial arts for FightMatrix.