SAEDNEWS: Reality star Joey Essex survived a chaotic four-round debut at Manchester’s AO Arena to claim a unanimous decision over Portuguese YouTuber Numeiro in a fight that mixed confusion, heavy shots and viral bench-side commentary.
According to SaedNews, the four-round contest at the AO Arena looked more like a street scrap than a polished pro debut. Essex repeatedly backed away and flinched early, allowing Numeiro to land the cleaner, heavier shots in rounds two and three. A comic offbeat moment followed the first bell when Essex wandered back as the 10-second bell rang — and then took a solid punch to the face. Round three was the roughest, with both men exchanging wild blows; referee intervention came in round four as an onslaught prompted a standing eight count but play continued. In the end the judges awarded Essex a unanimous decision, a result that left many fans bewildered but ensured Essex walked from the ring the winner.
Commentary added to the surreal feel: an ex-WWE figure on the call and a crowd split between laughter, shock and applause. The bout underlined the oddball appeal of celebrity boxing — spectacle and social buzz often outweigh technique. Promoters will likely market the viral moments; purists will note the lack of defensive fundamentals. For Essex, the night closes with a victory on his record and a debut that will be replayed — partly for the shock, partly for the comedy.
Item | Detail |
|---|---|
Fighters | Joey Essex (debut) vs Numeiro (Portugal, YouTuber) |
Venue | AO Arena, Manchester |
Rounds | 4 |
Result | Joey Essex — Unanimous decision |
Notable | Essex frequently backed away/flinched; 10-second bell confusion; standing eight count in Round 4; ex-WWE commentator on the call |
