Behind his polished television persona lies a formidable athlete. Having played soccer since childhood and trained in boxing for years, Istenes brought unexpected experience to last year's revolutionary HELL Boxing Kings competition. What began as a hobby has evolved into a serious pursuit — today, he is a respected fighter who has yet to taste defeat.
"This journey with HELL Boxing Kings has been deeply motivating for me," said Istenes. "I’ve learned so much about myself and I’m thrilled to continue along the path I started two years ago. What I experienced through HELL Boxing Kings still gives me goosebumps. Each event had an almost monumental atmosphere. I savored every moment of my entrances and fights, unsure if I would ever experience something so powerful again. I’m happy to be able to continue this journey with the organization."
Last season, Istenes defeated three international opponents to claim the title. He first overcame Bosnian YouTube sensation Nermin "Imperator FX" Rapkic with a second-round TKO, followed by a hard-fought victory over tough Slovak fighter Samuel Miškov. He then sealed his championship status by defeating the fearsome “Balkan Beast” Stratimir Georgiev, securing his place among the top celebrity boxers from ten European countries.
The organization itself enjoyed a banner year in 2024, successfully staging seven sold-out tournaments over seven weeks. Broadcast across Europe by RTL, the events captivated millions of fans. Building on this success, Hell Boxing Kings plans to hold five tournaments in four European countries in 2025.
"We’ve managed to secure some extremely exciting names once again," said Tamás Mádi, CEO of Hell Boxing Kings. "We are thrilled that Bence, our champion, has expressed his desire to continue with the project. To us, he is no longer just a celebrity or a TV host — he is a fully-fledged boxer. He serves as a role model for young people and embodies the values we stand for. We eagerly await his fights and continued collaboration this year."
The organization has also confirmed that Istenes will face another high-profile figure from the Hungarian celebrity world in his next bout, with details to be announced soon. Boxing fans and entertainment lovers alike can witness the showdown on August 23 in Budapest.
The event will also feature some of Hungary’s elite fighters, including welterweight champion Rafael Búza, the unmistakable Levente Oláh, and last year's finalist, Kovács "Kruzító."
Hell Boxing Kings continues to invite talented fighters from around the world to join its rapidly growing European platform. As for the lineup of this year’s competitors — that will remain a closely guarded secret, but according to Mádi, fans can expect some stunning surprises.
