Joey Essex looks worlds away from his TOWIE days as he prepares to make his boxing debut at the weekend. With his dark buzzcut and ripped physique, the 35-year-old reality star looks unrecognisable as he throws punches towards the camera in new photos. Joey is gearing up to face off with Portuguese influencer Numeiro in the ring at Manchester's AO Arena on Saturday 30 August. He has been in training with his uncle and professional coach Tony Sims, who has worked with the likes of Anthony Joshua and Ricky Burns, ahead of his first fight at the Misfits 22: Ring of Thrones event. The reality star recently told BBC News that he was keen to show people a different side of himself with his venture into crossover boxing. "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 declared. "I'm really enjoying it. You get to a point where you look forward to sparring, to getting punched in the face." He continued, "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." The menswear brand boohooMAN has partnered with Misfits Boxing for the upcoming showdown. To celebrate the partnership, they are releasing a limited-edition clothing collection, which includes an ultra-limited KSI T-shirt celebrating the Misfits founder's legacy and influence. The Ring of Thrones event will also feature fights between Darren Till and Luke Rockhold and Tony Ferguson and Salt Papi, among others. The bouts will stream live worldwide on DAZN, with tickets on sale now.