‘Fight of the Year’ – Joey Essex leaves fans stunned with heroic points victory on boxing debut at Misfits 22

Joey Essex went through hell and high water to claim a victory on his boxing debut at Misfits 22.

Essex battled Portuguese influencer Numeiro over four rounds at Manchester’s AO Arena as three judges scored it 37-37, 38-36, and 39-37 to award the 35-year-old a majority decision win.

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Both men traded heavy leather during the four-round fight and were absolutely exhausted by the final bell.

Numeiro found instant success with his jab early doors as Essex struggled to get rid of his nervous jitters.

But a slow start from the Brit quickly livened up when he clocked his opponent with some nasty shots before the final bell.

Former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew was giving the Essex man endless advice between every round, telling him his jab was the key to victory.

After plenty of swings and misses in a round two when Numeiro finished stronger, Essex began picking his shots and looked more composed as time ticked on.

Essex stumbled Numeiro early in round three, and the latter was given a standing count as the Manchester crowd went wild.

Both men then started to fade and exhaustion played a huge factor in the remainder of the fight.

The crowd started to chant ‘Joey, Joey’ in the fourth and final round as Numeiro put his foot on the gas and went for the finish.

Essex did a good job of avoiding his late onslaught, but was handed his own standing count after receiving numerous brutal blows to the head.

In the final ten seconds, both men were out on their feet, and the decision could’ve arguably gone to either fighter.

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Essex’s victory will no doubt leave his famous boxing uncle, Tony Sims, delighted.

Sims, the Essex-based trainer of British star Conor Benn, had been putting his nephew through his paces in preparation for Misfits 22.

In the build-up to his fight with Numeiro, Essex told talkSPORT.com that he had been body sparring with Benn, who was part of one of the greatest British bouts of all time against Chris Eubank Jr in April.

Benn had front row seats for Essex’s victory as he himself nears the beginning of a training camp for a rematch with Eubank Jr in November.

Essex and Benn embraced after the former was awarded the victory, and the pair went over to congratulate his opponent, Numeiro, in the ring after the fight.

What did fans say about Joey Essex’s boxing debut?

Fans were quick with their reactions to Essex’s Misfits Boxing win, with several deeming it a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender.

One posted on X: “Joey Essex vs Numerio. Fight of the year, incredible.”

Another commented: “Who knew Joey Essex would be in a fight of the year contender.”

A third added: “Fight of the year. that Joey lad f***** in round 2, but went the full 4, brilliant lad.”

This fan meanwhile stated: “That Joey Essex fight might be the best and worst thing I’ve ever seen.”

Former British boxer Darren Barker was speaking to DAZN immediately after the fight.

“I’m very proud of them both. It was a close fight, a really close fight,” he said.

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“They left it all in the ring. Whatever happens, they can both be really proud of themselves.”

Asked if he think Essex will fight again, he said: “Not after that I don’t think!”