Joey Essex made his professional boxing debut at Manchester’s AO Arena on August 30th, 2025. The reality TV star adopted the ring name “Joey Don Essex” for his four-round bout against Portuguese influencer Numeiro on the Misfits Boxing card.
Joey Essex Adopts New Persona for Boxing Career
Joey Essex revealed his decision to fight under the name “Joey Don Essex” to separate his boxing identity from his television persona. The 35-year-old explained that he wants people to understand the difference between his reality TV character and his boxing abilities.
The TOWIE star explained his motivation during a pre-fight interview with British Boxing News. He said he’s “bringing out a completely different side” of himself through boxing.
His full name is Joey Donald Essex, making the “Don” nickname a natural choice. The reality star wanted to show everyone “what I’m really made of” when he stepped into the ring.
He trained extensively under his uncle Tony Sims, a legendary boxing coach. Sims has trained world champions including Anthony Joshua, Conor Benn, and Joe Cordina.
Professional Boxing Training and Preparation
Joey Essex has been training at his uncle’s Essex gym for years, often sparring with top professional boxers. However, this marked his first official professional boxing match.
The reality star demonstrated his commitment by following the same training regime as other professional boxers at the gym. His uncle Tony Sims confirmed that Joey Essex receives no special treatment during training sessions.
Sims praised his nephew’s dedication and confirmed he was “more than capable of four rounds” against Numeiro. The experienced trainer has nearly 30 years in boxing and previously worked with Ricky Burns.
Joey Essex expressed his growing passion for the sport, saying he now looks forward to sparring and “even getting hit”. This represents a significant mindset shift from his television work.
Harsh Assessment of Opponent Numeiro
Joey Essex gave a scathing review of his opponent’s previous performance before their Manchester clash. He described Numeiro as “terrible” after watching footage of his last fight two years ago.
The Portuguese influencer had lost his only previous bout by stoppage to Kalin Simeonov. Joey Essex hoped his opponent had improved through additional training since that defeat.
Despite his confidence, Essex stated he didn’t want to knock out Numeiro in the first round. He preferred to “put on a show” and deliver “a proper fight” for the Manchester crowd.
Joey Essex acknowledged that if Numeiro “flops,” an early knockout might be inevitable. However, he expressed excitement about potentially extending the contest to showcase his boxing skills.
Misfits Boxing Debut on Major Card
Joey Essex featured on the undercard of Misfits 22: Ring of Thrones at Manchester’s AO Arena. The event was headlined by former UFC star Darren Till facing former UFC champion Luke Rockhold.
The card also featured UFC legend Tony Ferguson making his boxing debut against Salt Papi. These big-name attractions helped elevate the profile of Joey Essex’s boxing debut.
DAZN Pay-Per-View broadcast the event live, priced at £19.99 in the United Kingdom. The undercard began at 7pm BST with Essex expected to make his ring walk around 8:45pm BST.
Joey Essex posted on Instagram confirming “Today is the day! FIGHT NIGHT!” with anticipation building for his debut. The Manchester venue provided an electric atmosphere for his first professional boxing experience.
Television Career and Reality Show Success
Joey Essex rose to fame through The Only Way Is Essex, appearing from 2011-2013. He gained popularity as a main cast member after initially joining as a supporting character alongside cousin Chloe Sims.
His television career expanded to include multiple reality shows including I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, finishing fourth in 2013. Joey Essex also won The Jump in 2015 and appeared on Dancing on Ice in 2023.
Recent appearances include Love Island in 2024, where he continued building his public profile. His educational documentary series “Educating Joey Essex” showcased a different side of his personality.
Joey Essex has maintained relevance across different television formats for over a decade. His boxing debut represents another career diversification following his reality TV success.
Personal Motivation and Family Influence
Joey Essex credits his long-standing interest in boxing to both his uncle Tony Sims and his father, who was also a former boxer. Growing up in Chigwell, he was surrounded by boxing influence from an early age.
The reality star mentioned that entering the ring was “only a matter of time” given his family background. His television commitments previously prevented him from pursuing boxing seriously.
Joey Essex has been an ambassador for Child Bereavement UK since 2014, following his mother’s suicide when he was 10 years old. This personal tragedy shaped his character and determination.
His boxing journey represents more than entertainment, showing genuine commitment to the sport. Joey Essex approached training with the same intensity he brings to other physical challenges.
Weigh-In Confrontation and Final Preparations
Joey Essex weighed in at 86.7 pounds for his bout against Numeiro. The weigh-in featured heated exchanges between both fighters, with Essex calling his opponent “a proper little wanker”.
Tensions escalated during the face-off, with both men trading insults and threats. Joey Essex accused Numeiro of being “all talk” and predicted he would “get knocked out”.
The Portuguese fighter responded by claiming he would “outbox” and “outlast” Essex in their four-round contest. However, Essex remained confident about his chances of delivering a knockout victory.
Joey Essex declared he was “the man” during the heated confrontation. The animosity between both fighters built significant anticipation for their Manchester showdown.
Legacy and Future Boxing Aspirations
Joey Essex views his boxing debut as an opportunity to showcase hidden talents beyond his television persona. He believes people underestimate his athletic abilities and mental toughness.
His successful completion of various reality shows demonstrated his physical and mental resilience. Joey Essex approached boxing with the same “give my all” mentality that served him well in other challenges.
The boxing debut could open doors for future fights if he performs well against Numeiro. Joey Essex needs to produce an “eye-catching performance” to secure additional opportunities in the sport.
His training background and family connections provide a solid foundation for continued boxing development. Joey Essex has the infrastructure and support system necessary for a legitimate boxing career.
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