JOEY ESSEX’S dad wisely avoided fighting Nigel Benn back in the day – but the reality TV star was not so lucky with the boxing legend’s son Conor.
Essex’s dad Donald was a talented amateur boxer and was one bout away from sharing the ring with future world champion Nigel.
The Only Way is Essex star told SunSport: “My dad boxed from when he was six years old, he had 13 fights and he joined Hollington Club, and he used to box for the Southeast division for the ABA’s.
“He had 13 fights and if he had beat the next opponent, he would have then fought Nigel Benn. My dad’s next fight was Nigel Benn!
“But my dad at that time had only had 13 fights, Nigel had had like 120, so I think my dad had a touch that he didn’t get with Nigel!”
Nigel reigned as world champion at middleweight and super-middleweight – remaining one of Britain’s most celebrated boxers.
Essex’s uncle Tony used to train with Nigel and now coaches his son Conor – a welterweight title contender.
Tony has welcomed his nephew into his Romford gym over the years to train with his stable of fighters.
And one one excruciating occasion Conor and Joey had a boxing spar – leaving the Dancing on Ice star nursing some bruised kidneys.
Essex said: “I basically just let Conor absolutely batter and beat the s*** out of me, basically.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
“They thought it was funny, Tony and Conor, but he weren’t funny afterwards. I was in a lot of pain, man. My kidneys were damaged.”
Conor suffered defeat for the first time in April – losing a second generation grudge match to Chris Eubank Jr.
But the pair – 35 years on from their dads’ two famous fights – are now set to rematch back at Tottenham on November 15.
Essex meanwhile makes his Misfits Boxing debut on Saturday in Manchester against Portuguese influencer Numeiro.
He has turned down any TV or appearance opportunities to focus on boxing – hoping to make a splash in the celebrity-style crossover boxing scene.
He said: “I guess it’s a change of career, which is so weird to say. The plan at the minute is to get bigger and better fights.
“This is just for me, I’m just looking at this like the start, like the start of something big. I’m taking one step at a time.
“Get this fight out the way, relax and I’ll be straight back here, straight back in the gym. I ain’t gonna have too much time off.
“I wanna get straight back into it. I’m here to take over.”
