Joey Essex 'confident and excited' for boxing debut

Reality TV star Joey Essex says he is "confident and excited" and keen to show another side of him as he prepares for his boxing debut.

The 35-year-old, who shot to fame on The Only Way is Essex, is the latest celebrity to take on crossover boxing, made famous by YouTubers – and novice fighters – KSI and Logan Paul.

Essex has been in training with his uncle and professional coach Tony Sims ahead of his first fight with Portuguese influencer Numeiro on 30 August.

"You're going to see me get in the ring with someone up for a fight, and so am I – I'm ready to show the world what I'm about," he said.

Training with his uncle meant he could not "moan or fuss", and he said he was treated the same way as all the other boxers at the gym in Essex.

Sims, who has almost three decades of experience, is used to training world title fighters, including Antony Joshua and Ricky Burns.

He said his nephew was a hard worker and would be "more than capable of going four rounds" when he meets Numeiro in Manchester.

"I'm really enjoying it. You get to a point where you look forward to sparring, to getting punched in the face," Essex said.

"The closer we get to the fight, the more confident and excited I am getting.

"I believe in myself as a person. I feel I should have been an athlete, and this is my time."