Every time Arjon Basi fights he looks over to an empty seat before the first bell rings. That seat holds a lot of meaning to Arjon. It’s his father’s seat.
Since the age of five Basi has boxed with his father by his side. However, the seat has been left unoccupied for the last decade.
“I had a ritual where, in all of my amateur fights, I used to look out and always look for my brother and my dad. I’d look at him, they’d give me a little nod, and then yeah, that would be my time to say, ‘All right, cool, I’m ready to go now.’
“Obviously, he passed away; it made boxing a little bit difficult for me. The reason I put the empty chair there is because in my head it’s still a little bit like I’m looking at that chair and I get that nod. I still have that for it. That’s why I always keep it there because it just makes me feel like he’s with me.
“I’ll buy the ticket for it, and if anyone thinks they’re sitting in that seat, all hell’s going to break loose afterwards because that’s his seat. I’ve made it very, very clear to everyone, leave that seat there because I need to be able to see it. I need to look for it. So for me, it’s a comfort thing.”
The passing of his father was, and still is, hard to process. Basi admits he still runs away from the grief 10 years on.
“If I’m being completely honest with you, I always run away from it a little bit. I always run away from it. I had people who were always there for me, but it was difficult to talk about it. Some of the memories we had, I find it difficult even listening to them sometimes when people are having conversations about it and stuff.
“To this day, do I still find it difficult? Yeah, 100%. On my dad’s death anniversary this year, I couldn’t get out of bed for most of the day. My family would come around and stuff, but it was tough. Things really take a toll on you, especially given how tight my relationship with my dad was.
“So, in regard to dealing with it, could I have dealt with it better? Should I have addressed it? Yeah, 100% I should have addressed it. I’ve never really addressed it. For me, I just think he’s still here, and that’s what allows me to move on. There are certain things I think about. If I let my mind go to the memories, yeah, sometimes I can smile about them, but most of the time they make me sad. When I think about what he’d be saying in my ear, that then drives me on. That then pushes me to think, you know what? He would’ve been proud of this or I should have done this or I could have done that because he would’ve said this and stuff like that. So I try to play it more in that regard.
“To anyone who’s going to read this, I genuinely believe that you’re going to cry, you’re going to be upset, but you should address it as soon as possible because running away from it [isn’t good]; 10 years down the line, I’m still in the same boat I was 10 years ago. So as soon as you address it, the better for your mind really.”
Now he attempts to turn that emotion into motivation:
“I’m probably going to get a little bit deep now, but I think people look at death like death is the end of it all and it’s the worst thing in the world. And to be honest with you, yeah it is because it is the end. It is tough. But for me, I sort of found clarity in thinking that at least I have protection on the other side now too. I have a spirit that’s on my shoulder guiding me and pushing me and allowing me to excel and it’s a little bit of extra motivation for me too.
“Little things like when I’m in there and I’m fighting, I’ve got my dad to make proud too. But if I make it into heaven, then I want to be able to tell my dad, ‘Look what I’ve done.’”
‘The Bullet’, with the guidance of his father’s memory, turned professional in May 2025 with a victory over former Welsh champion, Angelo Dragone. Injuries have hampered the man from Ilford since then; however, three victories from three fights prove Basi is on the right track to where he wants to be.
“I didn’t really think anything crazy of it. I just thought we’re in this game to fight and to win. Those are the two things I’m in it for. When I got told that it was Angelo Dragone I sort of had to do my own research and figure out what’s going on. But it wasn’t like I was blindsided. I’m not saying that in the slightest, but knowing that I had him [as a debut opponent] proved how much belief everyone had in me already at that point.
“So, I must have been doing something right in the gym. They had a lot of belief in me. I went out there and I showcased what I am capable of, even on my first pro fight, beating people of that level. I mean, a Welsh champion is not an easy debut to have; you know what I mean?
“I’ve been unfortunate with the injuries I’ve had. They have definitely held me back. Having three fights in the period of time I’ve been a pro for hasn’t been the activity that I wanted. However, I’m 3-0; I got one KO, and I’ve been on DAZN twice. I was on a Sky Sports card as well, so things are looking up for me, and obviously I must be doing something right if I’m getting blessed with the opportunities I’ve been getting blessed with. So I can’t complain. God’s got me this far.”
Being a Sikh, Basi is a man of faith. It wasn’t a real presence in his life growing up but religion ramped up when a life-threatening issue reared its head. God spoke to Basi and since then he’s given his life to God.
“I had a blood clot in my lungs. I’ve always been quite a fit lad but when I was walking up and down the stairs, I was out of breath. I’d get out of my bed and I’d sit there and I’d be panting and stuff like that. It was really tough for me.
“The turning point for me was, and I’ve told countless people this story. Some people believe it, some people don’t, but it’s what happened to me. I never really had great faith in God and my religion and understanding what my pathway was set to be in my life. Then I had the clot in my lung and I had this dream one night where I was floating in the sky, but I was talking to the sun and the sun wasn’t the sun. It was almost like a being.
“I woke up the next day and I understood my purpose. And strangely from that point onwards, I was so much more disciplined. I was so much more focused. I started reading the religious books and stuff like that. So that was my epiphany. I felt like God spoke to me that day, God found me that day, and I haven’t veered from that path since.”
The 25-year-old steps back into the ring at Wembley Arena on Saturday, November 14th as he prepares to improve his record to 4-0 in front of his adoring fans. His fanbase, and ticket-selling ability, make him a promoter’s dream as he features for the first time for Misfits Pro.
“Let’s be realistic, fighters need a fan base to get to the very top. You ain’t got no fans? Promoters ain’t going to want to put you on shows. It’s just the way it works. Luckily for me, I’m blessed with such a huge family. I’ve got so many friends. They’re friends and friends of friends all coming to watch and support. I’ve got the Sikh community behind me as well, so they all come and support. It’s amazing for me because it really drives me on.
“If I ever get put down, and God willing I don’t, but if I ever get put down and I’ve got 250 to 300 people sitting there watching, I am getting up. There’s no way I’m letting all these people watch me go down and stay there. So I ain’t ever going to quit. I mean, it ain’t in my heart anyway, but each fight when I walk out and I’ve heard that roar of all these people, I’m like, ‘Yeah, man, this is made for me.’ They all spend their hard-earned money to come out and watch me do what I love doing. That’s magic to me, man. It means the world to me.
“It’s a well-known saying that diamonds are formed under pressure. I consider myself a diamond. That pressure is a privilege to me. Having that many people there to support me and put me under that pressure, I’ve got to rise to the occasion. And in battle, you’ve got no choice but to rise to the occasion. You have to do what you have to do.
“My debut is the best example. As I was walking up, I was thinking, yeah, I’m going to be all hard-faced, and I’m ready for this, blah, blah, blah. I walked out and the next thing you know, York Hall erupted. It erupted. We basically sold the place out and it erupted as I walked out and I just started smiling from cheek to cheek. I was like the Cheshire cat. I’m walking down and smiling, laughing.
“I was happy as anything because I was like, ‘Wow, this is amazing,’ That was the point for me where I was like, I’m made for these moments. I’m built for this moment. So hopefully bigger, louder and stronger roars every time I walk out.”
