Darren Godfrey Jr., also known as The Tarantula and recently dubbed The Hand of God, is not your average fighter. From a chaotic upbringing in Bristol’s toughest neighborhoods to the global stage of Dana White’s Power Slap league, Darren’s story is one of raw power, survival, and redemption.
In this blog, we unpack his gritty journey from street fights to becoming Britain’s only signed Power Slap competitor — and what lessons he has for anyone facing their own battles.
Growing Up in the Tough Streets of Bristol
Born and bred in Hartcliffe, Bristol — an area infamous for riots and poverty in the 1980s — Darren’s childhood was a daily fight for survival. As he recalls:
“If you couldn’t handle yourself, you were just a piece of meat for everybody else.”
With a father who boxed and a family known for getting into scraps, violence was part of the Godfrey DNA. By age 12, his parents had split, but Darren stayed close to his dad — often tagging along for debt collections and street justice.
Discovering a Rare Gift: Freakish Power
While many young lads fought to protect themselves, Darren quickly realized he was different:
“I realised at a young age I had weird freak power. Punch me in the face and I’d ask for another.”
It wasn’t just bravado — he was built for combat sports. Encouraged by local boxing trainers, Darren channelled his raw aggression into the ring. His amateur boxing career boasted around 60 fights and a British title streak that hinted at a promising future.
The Temptations of the Streets
Despite success in the ring, the streets kept calling. Known as “The Taxman” in the Midlands, Darren built a reputation collecting debts and recovering stolen goods. He jokes about it now, but back then it was survival — and sometimes chaos:
“If the money was right, I’d tap someone’s door. Simple as that.”
These years nearly derailed his fighting career, pulling him into dangerous circles and frequent run-ins with the law.
Enter the Bare-Knuckle Scene
When boxing wasn’t enough to calm his inner storm, Darren turned to bare-knuckle fighting and underground pit fights — brutal, raw battles in tight spaces with no gloves, little room to hide, and real consequences.
As he describes:
“You stand toe to toe until someone’s done. There’s no more beautiful way of doing violence.”
Through this no-holds-barred scene, he proved himself against some of the UK’s toughest men, including big names like Danny Christie and Ricardo Franco.
Fighting Demons: Addiction and Mental Health Battles
Behind the hard man persona was a tortured soul. Darren openly admits drugs nearly ruined him:
“I was flat out on naughty stuff. It put the devil in me. Everyone who loved me avoided me. I was borderline psychotic.”
At his lowest, he risked losing his wife, Kimberly, the one person who stood by him through the chaos. He credits her, and therapy, for pulling him back from the edge.
From Viral Knockouts to Power Slap Champion in the Making
One fateful bare-knuckle fight changed everything. After surviving brutal knockdowns and coming back to win, footage of Darren’s resilience went viral — catching the eye of UFC legend Dana White.
The call came:
“We’re looking for people with good chins for this crazy new sport. Fancy giving it a go?”
Next thing he knew, Darren was on a plane to Las Vegas. His debut slap knocked his opponent out cold, racking up over 1.6 billion views online. Overnight, The Tarantula became The Hand of God.
The Power Slap League: Brutal Yet Addictive
For the uninitiated, Power Slap is the latest viral combat craze: fighters take turns slapping each other with full force, no flinching allowed. A coin toss decides who slaps first.
Darren’s freakish power and iron jaw make him a nightmare opponent:
“I’m hitting them with 80% of what I can do. I don’t want to kill anyone on stage, but trust me — I could.”
Lessons for Fighters and Fans
Darren’s story isn’t just about fists and fame. It’s a raw reminder that no matter how far you fall, you can always fight your way back:
“It’s not about how many times you get knocked down. It’s about how many times you get back up.”
For young fighters, he advises: stay humble, train hard, and build a strong support network. He credits his wife and kids for keeping him grounded today.
What’s Next for Darren Godfrey Jr?
At 37, Darren is far from done. He’s eyeing the Power Slap world title before Christmas — and dreams of stepping back into the bare-knuckle arena for rematches with Christie and Franco.
He’s also keen to join Misfits Boxing, crossing over into the influencer fight scene to entertain new audiences:
“They want lunatic characters — well, I’m the one!”
A Message for Anyone Struggling
Darren’s journey proves you can’t always control where you start, but you can choose where you end up. For anyone facing mental health battles, addiction, or street life:
“Find good people. Speak out. Don’t be too proud. You’re not a mug for asking for help — you’re a mug if you don’t.”
Final Word: The Tarantula Is Far From Finished
From Bristol backstreets to viral knockout king, Darren Godfrey Jr is living proof that even the wildest life can be turned around with grit, heart, and a little help from those who care.
Watch this space: The Hand of God is just getting started.