Error code: %{errorCode}
Joey Essex, Demi Sims: Inside the Sims family dynasty ahead of Misfits debuts
Joey Essex and Demi Sims are swapping the world of reality television for the sweet science, with the cousins making their boxing debuts live on Misfits 22.
The Sims family are well established in the British boxing scene, with Tony Sims and Peter Sims respected cornermen that have trained big names such as Conor Benn, Joe Cordina, and Anthony Joshua.
Both Essex and Demi Sims have been working with Tony in the build-up to their first fights. The 36-year-old Essex will take on Portuguese influencer Numeiro, whilst Demi faces fellow British reality star Nadeshi Hopkins, live on DAZN, as the pair look to prove they can cut it inside the squared circle to do their family name proud.
How are Joey Essex, Demi Sims, and Tony Sims related?
Demi is the daughter of Tony, and has been in the gym with her father since 2023, long before her connection with Misfits began.
Her uncle is Peter Sims, who has previously trained fighters in his own gym whilst also working in the corner of boxers coached by his brother Tony.
Essex is the nephew of Tony Sims, linking up with the veteran trainer in preparation for his Misfits debut. That makes Essex and Demi Sims cousins. The pair have the reality TV show The Only Way is Essex to thank for their fame. Essex was the first to appear, alongside Demi’s sister, Chloe Sims.
Later, Essex’s sister Frankie Essex, and Chloe’s sisters, Demi and Frankie, joined the show.
Joey Essex’s boxing family
Tony Sims used to spar with Essex’s father, Donny Essex, who was an accomplished amateur that first donned the gloves at the age of six.
The Essex connection with boxing goes back even further, with Joey’s grandfather representing the navy as an amateur, whilst his great-grandfather once judged fights at the Olympics.
The Sims: Boxing training royalty
Tony Sims is an in-demand trainer, with Daniel Dubois linking up with the coach in the aftermath of his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
Over the years, Sims has become the trusted trainer of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promotion, helping Joshua, Cordina, and Ricky Burns win world titles.
There is also overlap between the Sims and the Tibbs families, with both hailing from Essex and renowned for their knowledge and expertise in training boxers.
Tony Sims worked with Jimmy Tibbs earlier on in his career, a trainer that went on to lead four fighters to world titles.
Jimmy’s son Mark Tibbs carried on the family legacy, working with Billy Joe Saunders, Richard Riakporhe, and Johnny Fisher. Earlier this year, Fisher parted ways with Tibbs in order to join Tony Sims’ stable of fighters.
Who does Tony Sims currently train?
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Whilst not currently working with any reigning world champions, Sims still has an impressive stable.
As mentioned above, heavyweights Dubois and Fisher have moved to Sims’ gym in order to tap into his expertise. He continues to work with Benn, preparing his man for a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr on Saturday, November 15.
Sims also works with a lot of up-and-coming prospects based in and around Essex, all signed to Matchroom.
George Liddard and Jimmy Sains are expected to be stars at middleweight in the coming years, with both fighters under the watchful eye of Sims. Liddard will headline a card of his own for the first time in October, when he takes on Kieron Conway for the British and Commonwealth titles, live on DAZN.
Has Demi Sims already fought?
Demi Sims was meant to make her Misfits debut back in March, when she was scheduled to face Egypt Criss on the undercard of KSI’s fight with Dillon Danis.
However, KSI fell ill, leading to the entire event being postponed and then cancelled when a new date could not be found.
Misfits 21 would later be rescheduled for May 2025, but with an entirely different card. Sims’ bout with Criss was not revisited, paving the way for the reality star to face Hopkins on Saturday night.
Misfits X Series 22 on Saturday only on DAZN PPV
Watch Darren Till vs. Luke Rockhold, Tony Ferguson vs Salt Papi and Dillon Danis, Joey Essex and more fight only on DAZN PPV, this Saturday night, August 30.
