John Stephenson’s testicles may have become a global sensation – but his crazy life has shown no signs of slowing down just yet.
The 50-year-old hit the headlines across the world earlier this month after becoming the first person in the UK to pull a two-tonne car 50m using just but his raw manpower, a stunt which saw a Wikipedia page created in his honour.
John Stephenson begins his firey pull. Photo supplied
His story – exclusively broken by LincsOnline – went on to be featured in many of our national newspapers, as well as further afield in publications such as the New York Post and Australia’s News.com.
But refusing to rest on his laurels, John – who splits his time between family in Spalding and Yorkshire – has continued creating madcap moments.
One of them was another car pull, dragging a Dodge Charger used in the upcoming Supergirl movie.
John pulls the Dodge Charge with flames coming from his hoodie. Photo supplied
This time he returned to using his arms but, with a little twist – as his head was on fire.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever done that,” said John, who carried out the stunt in Wakefield, pulling the car 20m with his pal Mark Vallint.
“I said I’ll pull this to Mark, but I might do it while on fire. He was like ‘what?’.”
John on top of an armoured truck used in The Running Man. Photo supplied
“If there’s something worth having a go, I’ll have a go.”
John – who also recently pulled an armoured truck from the new Running Man movie – carried out the trick wearing two hoodies.
The first was soaking wet and the second, placed on top, was doused in lighter fuel and set ablaze.
Hot stuff! John’s car pull. Photo supplied
“I just thought it’d be something different,” John added.
This test also inspired musician CJ Livermore to write a trance anthem named Burning Power, which will soon be available on Spotify, in honour of John.
As if pulling a car ablaze wasn’t enough, John – a kickboxer and actor – has also discovered he will be inducted into the Unlicensed Bare Knuckle Hall of Fame.
John Stephenson is being inducted into the Unlicensed Bare Knuckle Hall of Fame. Photo supplied
From balls of fame to halls of fame, the honour is particularly poignant for John – who is undefeated in his bouts with the gloves off – as his last fight was one which changed his life.
An out-of-the-blue Facebook message from a sister he didn’t know about revealed he actually had seven siblings he had never met.
John who has also been inducted into numerous martial arts halls of fame, took the fight to pay for his train fare to Yorkshire to meet his four sisters for the very first time.
A belt marking John’s Hall of Fame induction. Photo supplied
“I’ve retired now, but my last fight was so important for me,” John said.
“(Bare knuckle boxing) has just been part of my journey.
“To get recognised for it is just a bonus, isn’t it?”
John Stephenson carried out the stunt ablaze. Photo supplied
John previously told LincsOnline there is ‘no feeling’ like bare knuckle boxing
“It’s a real adrenaline rush, I can’t explain it. It gives you a feeling – to be punched in the face is the most pleasurable thing,” he said
“This sounds bonkers, I know. But it’s raw and real. It doesn’t hurt at the time, but it does the next day.”
John Stephenson is an unbeaten bare knuckle fighter. Photo supplied
While John plans his next stunt he is taking time to reflect on his recent fame.
“I didn’t think it was going to go global,” he said.
It’s been in the news in Australia, and America. It’s crazy.
“It does feel mad to say I’m the only person in the UK to pull a car with his testicles. I think that’ll hang around for a bit now too. I don’t see many people wanting to try that.”