TOWIE Drama Meets Boxing Ring: Demi Sims Is Actually Fighting This Weekend

By Lewis Barnett 27 August, 2025 5 mins read 142 Views

Honestly, I never thought I'd be writing about Demi Sims throwing punches for real money.

But here we are. The TOWIE star is stepping into the ring THIS SATURDAY against Nadeshi Hopkins at Manchester's AO Arena, and I'm genuinely curious to see how this plays out. Both women are making their boxing debuts, which means we're either in for a proper scrap or... well, let's just say expectations are cautiously optimistic.

The fight kicks off the entire Misfits 22 card at 7pm BST. Yeah, they're opening the whole show.

Wait, Demi's Got Serious Boxing Genes?

Here's where things get interesting (and I feel slightly stupid for not knowing this earlier). Demi's dad is Tony Sims - you know, the Tony Sims who's trained Conor Benn and used to work with Anthony Joshua. That's not exactly amateur hour coaching.

The 28-year-old reality star has been grinding in the gym with her old man, which gives her a massive advantage over your typical influencer-turned-boxer. Plus, her cousin Joey Essex is also fighting on the main card against Numeiro, so it's basically a family affair.

Demi was supposed to fight back in 2023 against Egypt Criss, but that whole card got scrapped when KSI pulled out sick. Poor girl's been waiting ages for this moment.

Who the Hell is Nadeshi Hopkins?

Good question. Hopkins is an actress and music artist with about 250k Instagram followers - respectable numbers, but not exactly household name territory. Her biggest claim to fame? Appearing in a Sidemen video called "SIDEMEN FORFEIT BLIND DATE" that somehow racked up 25 million views on YouTube back in 2022.

That's... actually pretty impressive reach, even if it was just one video.

But here's the thing - having social media clout and being able to handle yourself in a boxing ring are completely different skill sets. And with Demi's training pedigree, this feels like it could be a mismatch on paper.

How to Watch (And How Much It'll Cost You)

The whole card streams live on DAZN, which means you're looking at either £24.99 for a monthly pass or £119.99 if you want the annual deal. Honestly? For 185 fights a year across boxing, MMA, and bare knuckle, that annual price isn't terrible.

If you're cheap like me, SunSport will have a live blog running with round-by-round updates. Sometimes those are more entertaining than the actual fights anyway.

The main event (Till vs Rockhold) doesn't start until around 11pm BST, so you've got a full evening of chaos ahead of you.

The Rest of This Absolutely Mental Card

This lineup is genuinely wild:

Darren Till vs Luke Rockhold for the bridgerweight title (actual former UFC fighters), Tony Ferguson vs Salt Papi for middleweight gold, and Dillon Danis is back fighting Warren Spencer. Joey Essex vs Numeiro should be... something.

There's also Carla Jade vs Daryn Harris for the women's lightweight belt, which could easily steal the show if we're being honest.

Listen, I know influencer boxing gets a lot of hate, but when you've got legitimate fighters mixed with reality TV stars and YouTubers, the unpredictability factor goes through the roof. Sometimes that makes for surprisingly good entertainment.

My prediction? Demi takes this one based purely on her training setup. But in a sport where one punch changes everything, who really knows.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I protect myself when boxing?

Boxing defense includes a number of techniques. You can use slips, weaves and rolls as well as footwork and maintain distance by using your feet. Learning these defensive skills is just as important as mastering your offense.

Does sparring require boxing beginners to be experienced?

Beginners should not spar immediately. It is best to wait until you have a firm foundation and are fit enough. Under the guidance of a coach, and using protective equipment to ensure safety, it's important to spar.

Learn boxing at your home.

It's possible to learn boxing from home using instructional videos or fitness applications, but it's best to train with a professional coach in a gym to make sure you master the correct techniques. A boxing gym also provides equipment and allows you to practice with other people.

How important does recovery play in boxing practice?

Recovery is essential in boxing because it allows the body to grow and heal. A nutritious diet, proper rest, stretching and adequate sleep are all essential for recovery. Ignoring the recovery process can lead to injuries, overtraining, and decreased performance.

What should i look for in a boxing studio?

When choosing a boxing studio, you should consider a welcoming atmosphere, experienced and approachable trainers, a variety classes suitable for various skill levels, quality gear, and positive testimonials or recommendations by current members. You can also get a better feel for the atmosphere and style of training at a gym by trying out a trial session.

Statistics

About 25% of people who take up boxing transition to competitive amateur boxing within their first two years of training.
An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
Approximately 80% of boxing injuries occur during training, not in actual competition.
It is estimated that 60% of beginner boxers do not use the correct size gloves, which can increase the risk of injury.
Roughly 75% of beginners do not employ adequate defensive tactics in their first sparring sessions.
Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
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.
Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.

External Links

How To

How to Master the Cross Punch in Boxing

After the jab comes the crucial cross. You can pivot your back foot in your boxing posture to help your hips and shoulders move forward. At the same time, you should throw your back hand straight toward the target. Make sure your palm is facing down. Keep your lead hand guarding your face. Balance and speed are essential to avoid being exposed.