A Farnham fighter says his late mum would be “furious” if she knew he was trying to win a share of a $20 million prize in Conor McGregor’s bare-knuckle boxing tournament.

Barney Dick, 40, lost his mum Marylyne to cancer in 2019 but later returned to fighting as a way of channelling his grief.

Triple B (Barney Dick) in action
Triple B (Barney Dick) in action. (Barney Dick)

The contest is being promoted by former UFC champion Conor McGregor through Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), with fighters competing for a share of a $20 million prize pot.

Marylyne, who ran a tailor’s shop in Borelli Yard, had always worried about her son fighting.

“My dad does say if mum was still around, she would not be happy,” Barney said.

“She said I was the most handsome boy in the world. And if you met my brother, you’d definitely understand that one.”

Barney said returning to the ring after her death gave him a positive outlet for his grief.

“I miss her immensely and it was very much a way to channel my grief into a positive outcome,” he said.

Now he is hoping to take that comeback to another level after trying out for the BKFC World’s Baddest Man tournament.

Barney, who fights under the names Triple B and Big Bang Barney, took part in the Manchester tryout on September 24, where hopefuls underwent fitness tests, skills assessments and sparring sessions.

He is now waiting to find out whether he has earned a place in the first round.

The tournament will see fighters compete in a series of ‘One-Round Wars’, with the field eventually whittled down to one champion and $20 million in prize money up for grabs.

Despite the scale of the opportunity, Barney is taking it in his stride.

“It’s a fairly fun, ludicrous thing to be a part of,” he said.

Preparing for the tournament has already become a major commitment.

Barney travels from Farnham to Swansea four times a week to train, sometimes leaving home at 5am, while also working out with a heavy bag in a South Farnham garage.

“At the moment, I’ve got my heavy bag set up in a garage in Farnham,” he said. “It would just be a little bit easier on petrol rather than driving four times a week to Swansea.”

Barney has deep roots in Farnham. He went to school and college in the town, had his first kiss in Gostrey Meadow and his first pint in The William Cobbett pub.

And if he somehow goes all the way and lands the $20 million prize, his first purchase might not be quite what you would expect.

“I think probably a new wardrobe,” he said.

Friends regularly tease him about his love of Lidl, an obsession that has even made its way into his boxing career.

“I fought in Lidl colours,” Barney said. “My boxing shorts are the Lidl livery with Lidl yellow tassels on them.

“But alas, it doesn’t seem that they’re into pugilism or blood sports, which I understand. It’s a hard thing to marry yourself to as a brand.”

For Barney, however, the tournament represents more than simply a chance to win money.

“I just love the fact that the gates are open for guys like me who may have had a better opportunity 20 years ago, and it didn’t quite work out, to come back into the sport and find another route.”

A Farnham Town fan, Barney hopes one day to stage his final fight at the Memorial Ground.