MMA veteran and bare-knuckle fighter William Dunkle discusses his boxing career, resilience, and what drives him to keep competing.
At 43 years old, William Dunkle is proving that age doesn’t define ambition. A veteran of MMA and bare-knuckle boxing with battles against names like Sawyer Depee, Blake Davis, and Josh “The Pitman” Baitman, Dunkle now steps into the ring at Caldwell Fight Night 3 ready to leave his mark in professional boxing. With nearly two decades of combat sports experience, Dunkle’s journey is a testament to resilience, discipline, and passion for the fight game.
So what drives a fighter to keep competing into his forties; and how does bare-knuckle experience translate into boxing success?
This episode of The Gordie Tamayo Show digs deep into Dunkle’s fight philosophy, his inspirations, and the lessons he wants to pass on to the next generation of fighters. Hosted by Gordie Tamayo, Chief Digital Architect of Boise Beat, the conversation highlights the grit of an underdog who refused to quit, and the mentorship of a coach who saw potential when others didn’t.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why William Dunkle believes discipline, not feelings, determines long-term success in combat sports.
- How his experience in MMA and bare-knuckle boxing forged the mental toughness to thrive in boxing.
- The impact of his mother’s resilience and his coach Johnny Perez’s belief in him as defining forces in his career.
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About the Guest
William Dunkle is a professional boxer out of Team No Excuse MMA. Beginning his fight journey at age 32, Dunkle has competed across MMA, bare-knuckle, and boxing, defying expectations at every stage. Known for his grit, timing, and refusal to quit, Dunkle has fought high-level opponents across multiple states, often as the underdog. His career has been shaped by his coach Johnny Perez, who recognized his fire and helped refine his natural timing and skill.
This event is sponsored by: Rodriguez Tortillas, Jiffy Lube, Radix Construction, Premier Mortgage Resources, Essink Real Estate, Mark Freemyer Family Insurance, and powered by Digital Unicorn.
