JOEY ESSEX is set to join the family business by making his boxing debut – and could eye a score-settling fight with KSI.
Essex is the nephew to esteemed British trainer Tony Sims, who once coached Anthony Joshua and currently works with Conor Benn.
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The super-fit reality TV legend has been teasing a switch to boxing in a series of cryptic social media posts.
But now SunSport can confirm Essex has been in talks with KSI’s manager and co-founder of Misfits Boxing, Mams Taylor.
Taylor said: “He’s got family background in boxing so I think he’s excited to get in the ring and we’re excited to have him.
“Joey’s going to be very committed, we’ve spoken daily for the last few days and he’s really on it.”
Ever since launching in the summer of 2022, Misfits has been the home to crossover and celebrity-style fights.
So Essex – who first shot to fame on ITV’s hit show TOWIE – will have no shortage of famous opponents lining up to face him.
Taylor said: “I’ve got a list for him and we’re going to go through it and figure it out.”
Essex, 33, was quick to call out YouTuber-turned boxer KSI, 30, but Taylor insisted the fight is not yet on the horizon.
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He said: “No disrespect to Joey Essex but I don’t think it would be fair to him to make his debut against KSI and I don’t think it would be right for KSI to go from Tommy Fury to Joey Essex.
“If Joey builds up, has a good few fights and develops a lot of skill and it will be a fair fight and a challenge for both of them, then anything is possible down the line. But for now, that’s not the fight.”
Essex insisted he would “WALLOP” KSI and claimed there is friction between the pair.
And Taylor added: “I think there’s an underlying little tension there between them.
“I don’t think resolving it in the ring is the right thing to do now for Joey, I don’t think it’s right for KSI either.
‘But down the line let’s see what happens, watch that space.
“I don’t know why they have any rivalry or beef but it’s interesting. Sometimes these things develop on their own.”