Brain Game: Saved by the Bell

By changing one letter at a time to form different English words, and leaving all other letters in their original positions, convert BOXER into PUNCH in the fewest steps possible. Good luck!

B O X E R _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _P U N C H

Here is a 9-step SOLUTION.

A 9-STEP SOLUTION:

BOXER > BOXES > BONES > BANES > BANKS > BUNKS > BUNKO > BUNCO > BUNCH > PUNCH

Did you come up with a different sequence of words? Feel free to share it by commenting below. Thanks!