20 January 2024 , 10:00
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Influencer boxer Fes Batista was on the verge of suicide whilst being bullied at university until a Lady Gaga song saved him from taking his own life.
Batista, whose real name is Mohammed Faisal, makes his Misfits Boxing debut tonight when he fights Ben Williams in Leeds. The 32-year-old has been involved in boxing for over a decade since dropping out of his sport degree to pursue a career in the ring. Batista explained how being racially abused on a student night out changed his life forever as he vowed to turn his life around.
“I remember coming back to my room and closing my eyes, I had the knife in my hand pressing onto my [arm]. That’s when I heard those lyrics playing from Lady Gaga’s ‘Marry The Night’. The timing just froze me and I said to myself that day I’m going to make it because I had nothing left to lose," Batista told Mirror Fighting .
Who wins at Misfits Boxing 012 - Fes Batista or Ben Williams? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
“I was convinced that I was disgusting because of the colour of my skin, I was that disgusted in myself that I wanted to kill myself. I believed in the bullying but I knew I was going to get my revenge. The WBC heard about my story and made me the head of anti-bullying, now I just celebrated my 10th year of doing that."
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Batista moved from Huddersfield to Las Vegas and has been coached by boxing legend Roy Jones Jr for both of his professional wins. The influencer also trained with Floyd Mayweather's uncle Jeff when he first arrived in Sin City. Batista hasn't fought in over four years as health issues and the Covid-19 pandemic delayed his return.
"I had people in my ear saying, 'You're spending all of this money but nothing is happening for you'. KSI then released his song 'Not Over Yet' and I love that song because it's got some very good lyrics. A couple of months after that he released Misfits, I was looking at what their concept was. Influencers, people with good stories and that are entertaining," Batista added.
"It was looking good and I got in contact with them, now I've been with Misfits since around February last year. We were just waiting for the right fight. I've always trained, I would go over to Roy Jones and stay with him for several months. I've certainly got enough skill to handle myself in the ring."