Reality television star Joey Essex's much-hyped transition to the boxing ring has ignited a firestorm of criticism after a deeply controversial victory in his Misfits Boxing debut.
Fighting on the Misfits X Series 009 card in Sheffield, Essex faced Portuguese social media influencer Anthony Numeiro in a bout that has been universally panned by viewers and pundits alike. Despite being visibly outworked and outlanded for large portions of the fight, Essex was awarded a points victory, a decision branded an 'absolute robbery' by furious fans.
Fan Fury Erupts Over 'Gifted' Decision
The backlash was immediate and severe across social media platforms. Viewers flocked to X (formerly Twitter) and DAZN's YouTube stream to express their disbelief, with many accusing the judges of bias towards the more famous Essex.
One incensed fan declared, 'Joey Essex just got gifted a win. That was an absolute disgrace to boxing.' Another simply stated, 'Joey Essex is atrocious at boxing. How did he get the win?!' The sentiment was overwhelmingly that Numeiro had done enough to secure the win, leaving many to question the integrity of the influencer boxing scene.
A Breakdown of a Controversial Contest
From the opening bell, it was clear this was a match between two novices. The action was messy and technically lacking, a far cry from professional pugilism. Numeiro appeared to be the more active fighter, pushing the pace and connecting with more punches.
Essex, known for his appearances on 'The Only Way Is Essex', struggled to find his rhythm and was often caught on the ropes. While he showed heart by lasting the full four rounds, his performance did little to convince anyone he deserved to have his hand raised. The final decision was met with a chorus of boos from those in attendance, confirming the widespread disagreement with the official result.
Misfits Boxing's Credibility Questioned
This incident places Misfits Boxing, a organisation dedicated to influencer and celebrity fights, under intense scrutiny. Critics argue that such controversial judgements undermine the sport's credibility and suggest that outcomes may be influenced by a fighter's celebrity status rather than their performance in the ring.
The event, designed to blend entertainment with combat sports, risks being labelled as purely entertainment if sporting integrity is called into question. For many fans, this result crossed that line, leading to accusations of the fix being in for the bigger name.
Whether this backlash will prompt any official review from Misfits or the governing bodies remains to be seen. For now, Joey Essex's boxing record reads 1-0, but it's a victory that has left a bitter taste and sparked a major debate about the future of influencer boxing.
