Joey Essex Doesn't Give a Damn About His Pretty Face Getting Smashed

By Lewis Barnett 27 August, 2025 6 mins read 180 Views

Look, I've been following Joey Essex since he first stumbled onto TOWIE back in 2011, and honestly? Never thought I'd be writing about him stepping into an actual boxing ring.

But here we are.

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The Reality Star Who Lost His Mind (In the Best Way)

Essex has been milking his reality TV fame for 15 years now - and good for him, honestly. The guy turned being slightly dim on The Only Way is Essex into a proper career spanning dozens of shows. Smart business, even if he pretends not to understand what business means.

This Saturday in Manchester though, he's doing something that actually made me sit up and pay attention. The 35-year-old is making his Misfits Boxing debut against some Portuguese influencer called Numeiro, and apparently he's dead serious about it.

When SunSport got exclusive access to his training camp (lucky bastards), they asked him the obvious question: aren't you worried about messing up that famously pretty face?

His response made me laugh out loud: "I've got no concerns about the way I'm gonna look. Regardless, I mean, teeth can be fixed. Anything can be done, it's all good. I need some new teeth anyway!"

Uncle Tony's Change of Heart

Here's the thing that gets me - his uncle Tony Sims, who's training him, literally banned Joey from boxing years ago because he was "too pretty to fight." Can you imagine having that conversation with your nephew? "Sorry mate, your face is too valuable."

Now Tony's got both Joey adn his daughter Demi training for fights on teh same card. Family business, I guess.

The training sounds brutal, honestly. Tony explained: "It is a difficult sport because when you're sparring as well, you're obviously trying to punish the sparring partner and he's trying to punish you. So all sorts of things happen to you, you end up hurting your hands, your shoulders, your arms, your ribs, everything hurts."

This Isn't Just a Publicity Stunt

What surprised me most? Essex has apparently turned down TV work to focus on this. Six days a week, sometimes twice a day in the gym. That's... actually impressive.

"I guess it's a change of career, which is so weird to say," he told reporters. "The plan at the minute is to get bigger and better fights."

Listen, I was ready to mock this whole thing as another celebrity cash grab. But when someone's willing to get punched in the face by professional boxers during sparring sessions, maybe they're serious about it.

Taking Over What Exactly?

Joey's got big plans apparently: "This is just for me, I'm just looking at this like the start, like the start of something big. I'm taking one step at a time. Get this fight out the way, relax and I'll be straight back here, straight back in the gym. I ain't gonna have too much time off. I wanna get straight back into it. I'm here to take over."

Take over what? Celebrity boxing? Fair enough, I suppose someone has to.

The whole thing feels like watching someone jump off a cliff and hoping they've packed a parachute. Either this goes spectacularly wrong and we get memes for months, or Joey Essex somehow becomes the face of influencer boxing.

Honestly? I'm kind of rooting for him now. Anyone willing to risk their meal ticket (that pretty face) for something they believe in deserves some respect.

Even if they still can't spell "definitely" correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I wrap up my hands before boxing?

Hand wraps are essential for boxing as they protect your hands and wrists. Unwind the wraps, place the thumb loop on your thumb and extend the wrap to the back of your hands. Then, wrap your wrist multiple times. Crisscross between your fingers, cover your knuckles, and finish by securing the wrap around your wrist with the Velcro fastening.

What is the proper stance in boxing?

Standing shoulder width apart with the front foot forward and the back foot at a 90-degree angle is the classic boxing position. You should have your knees slightly bent and your weight evenly distributed on your balls of feet. Hands up for protection of your face. Elbows tucked under to protect the torso.

Can I learn Boxing at Home?

Although you can begin learning boxing through fitness apps or instructional videos, it is best to work with a certified coach at a gym in order to master the techniques. Boxing gyms also provide the necessary equipment as well as the chance to practice alongside others.

Do beginners need to spar in boxing?

Beginners should not spar immediately. It is best to wait until you have a firm foundation and are fit enough. It's vital to spar under the supervision of a coach and with proper protective gear to ensure safety and productive learning experiences.

What diet should a beginning boxer follow to get the best results?

Beginner Boxers should aim for a balanced diet consisting of carbohydrates to provide energy, lean meats and proteins to repair and grow muscles, healthy oils for endurance and plenty fruits and veggies for vitamins. Hydration is also crucial, so drink plenty of water before, during, and after workouts.

What should you look for when selecting your boxing gym?

Look for a gym that has a friendly atmosphere, instructors who are experienced and approachable, classes for all skill levels, high-quality equipment, and reviews from members. A trial session is a great way to get an idea of the gym's training style and atmosphere.

What is breathing important in boxing?

The right breathing technique is vital in boxing. It will help you to stay relaxed, regulate your energy and maintain stamina during a workout or bout. To manage oxygen intake and output, you should breathe rhythmically and exhale with each punch. Inhale through your nose and then exhale through your mouth.

Statistics

About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
It is estimated that 60% of beginner boxers do not use the correct size gloves, which can increase the risk of injury.
Surveys reveal that close to 40% of new boxers join the sport for self-defense purposes rather than for competition or fitness.
Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
On average, beginner boxers improve their punching power by 10%-20% after six months of consistent training.
Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.

External Links

How To

How to Stand Correctly In a Boxing Stance

The foundation of boxing begins with a proper stance. Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart. Your non-dominant shoe should be facing forward. Angle your back foot at 45 degrees, and distribute your weight evenly. Hold your gloves above your chin, bend your knees a little, and tuck in your elbows. For agility, stay on your balls. Your body needs to be relaxed and ready for quick movements.