Joey Essex Steps Into the Ring Tonight - And I'm Actually Nervous for the Guy

By Lewis Barnett 30 August, 2025 5 mins read 255 Views

Look, I'll be honest. When I first heard Joey Essex was making his boxing debut tonight at Manchester's AO Arena, I laughed out loud.

But then I started digging into this whole thing, and now? I'm genuinely invested in watching this trainwreck unfold. The reality TV star is facing off against Joao "Numeiro" Barbosa, and between the two of them, they've got exactly one professional fight under their belts. One. That's like me and my neighbor deciding to perform surgery because we both watched Grey's Anatomy.

The Portuguese race car driver (because apparently we're all just switching careers now) has that single bout to his name - a TKO loss to Kalin Simeonov back in December 2023. Lost in teh final round too, which has to sting.

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When Does This Beautiful Disaster Actually Start?

Ring-walks are scheduled for around 9pm BST, but honestly? That could shift depending on how long the undercard drags on.

The whole shebang kicks off at 7pm, with Joey's moment of truth somewhere in the middle before the main event between Darren Till and Luke Rockhold at 11pm. I've got $20 riding on Joey lasting more than three rounds - my editor thinks I'm crazy, but something tells me this kid's got more fight in him than people expect.

God, I hope I'm right.

Where to Watch This Spectacle

DAZN's got the whole card streaming live in over 200 countries. If you're not already subscribed, you're looking at £24.99 monthly or £119.99 for the annual deal (which breaks down to about £14.99 per month if you're doing the math).

Alternatively, you could follow along with live blogs, but honestly? You're gonna want to see the facial expressions on this one.

Trust me on this.

The Names That Almost Were

For months, people were throwing around names like Tommy Fury and KSI as potential opponents for Joey's debut. Can you imagine? That would've been like throwing a goldfish to sharks.

Instead, we got Numeiro - which feels more appropriate for someone stepping into professional boxing for the first time. Though Joey's already talking about wanting Jake Paul or Tommy Fury next, which... slow down there, champ.

Tonight's Full Lineup (Because Why Not Go All In?)

Here's everyone throwing hands tonight:

Darren Till vs Luke Rockhold for the Misfits Boxing bridgerweight title (this is the one everyone's actually here for), Tony Ferguson vs Salt Papi for the middleweight title, Dillon Danis vs Warren Spencer for the light-heavyweight title, and then our boy Joey Essex vs Numeiro in what's being billed as a middleweight bout.

Plus a bunch of other fights that'll either be surprisingly good or completely forgettable - Ty Mitchell vs Sean Hemphill, Amadeusz Ferrari vs Rahim Pardesi, Chase DeMoor vs Natan Marcon for the heavyweight title, Amir Anderson vs Vitor Siqueira, Carla Jade vs Daryn Harris for the lightweight title, and Demi Sims vs Nadeshi Hopkins.

It's like someone threw a dart at a board of random people and said "you're fighting now."

And you know what? I'm here for every ridiculous minute of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boxing can I begin at any age?

Boxing is a great sport for anyone of any age, provided they are healthy and their doctor has given them clearance. Boxing is a flexible sport that can be tailored to suit people of any age or fitness level.

What are the most common mistakes that beginners make when they first start boxing?

The most common mistakes are: overextending your punches; dropping your hands; ignoring defense; holding your breath. To prevent these mistakes from becoming habitual, a qualified coach can identify them and correct them early.

How long is it necessary to learn boxing?

Individuals vary greatly in the time required to become proficient at boxing. Factors such as natural abilities, consistency in training and quality of instruction are all important. In general, regular training will result in significant improvement of your basic skills.

How many times should a novice boxer train per week?

Beginners will benefit from two to three sessions of boxing a week. Allowing time for rest, recovery and relaxation between workouts is important. You can gradually increase your training frequency and intensity as you become more familiar with the sport.

What type of diet is best for a boxing beginner?

Beginner boxers should eat a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates for energy, proteins for muscle growth and repair, healthy fats to increase endurance, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. Drinking plenty of water is important before, during and after your workouts.

How do I protect my self in boxing

Defense in boxing involves several techniques, including maintaining a solid guard with your hands up, using footwork to maintain distance, and utilizing head movement such as slips, rolls, and weaves to evade punches. As important as learning your offensive moves, it is also crucial to learn defensive skills.

What should I consider when selecting a boxing club?

You should look for a boxing facility that offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, has experienced instructors and is approachable. It should also have a range of classes to suit all levels, good equipment and positive feedback from existing members. Trial sessions can help you to understand the training style and gym atmosphere.

Statistics

Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
Despite the stereotype that boxing is a young person's sport, approximately 20% of all beginners are over the age of 40.
On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
Nearly 95% of boxing trainers agree that mental conditioning is just as important as physical training for beginners in the sport.
Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
It is estimated that 60% of beginner boxers do not use the correct size gloves, which can increase the risk of injury.
Cardiovascular fitness improvements can be seen after just 12 weeks of consistent boxing training.
Studies suggest that about 30% of beginner boxers tend to neglect the importance of footwork in their initial training phase.
About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.

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How To

How to deliver a powerful uppercut in Boxing

The uppercut, when delivered accurately, can be a game-changing punch. Your rear hand should be lowered slightly, and your knees bent to lower your level. While driving your rear hand up in an upwards arc, pivot your rear leg and thrust your hips forward. To protect your face, keep your lead arm up. You can also use your legs or core to generate more power.