Boxing

MOVE over ‘Money’ Mayweather.Nightclub boss Joe Fournier has dated heiress Paris Hilton, was school mates with Mo Farah and is a multi-millionaire.
Joe Fournier is sensationally set to fight David Haye nextCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Fournier battered musician Reykon last time out – Haye should proved a sterner testCredit: Getty
Joe Fournier swapped nightclubs for a life in the ringCredit: Rex Features
It was sensationally announced that former heavyweight world champ David Haye is making a return to boxing.
And he will fight his mate Fournier in an eight-rounder on Oscar De La Hoya’s undercard on September 11.
Last time out Fournier KO’d reggae musician Reykon on the undercard of YouTuber Jake Paul’s battering of ex-UFC brawler Ben Askren.
Fournier was once ranked 11th in the WBA rankings in the light heavyweight division after turning pro in 2015 – at the time he was the best British fighter on the list.
Not bad for a lad from Hammersmith, who runs superclubs around the world, including the prestigious and very private Bonbonniere in London’s exclusive Mayfair area.
But he spent more than four years out of the squared circle – until battering Reykon in April.

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Joe Fournier owns exclusive Mayfair hotspot BonbonniereCredit: Rex Features
Joe Fournier was born into the rich lifeCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
Speaking to Sky Sports the British entrepreneur said: “I was slipping back into bad habits.
“Predominantly my businesses are bars, clubs and restaurants in all the fun places. It’s easy for my mates to visit me in Mykonos – one beer becomes two, becomes three.
“That leads to negative behaviour. I can get depressed and not myself.
“Boxing is good for my mental health. Tyson Fury is a big advocate of this. It keeps me from drinking too much, keeps me healthy and gives me a goal.”
Joe was born into a wealthy family, attending the prestigious Lycee Français Charles De Gaulle de Londres in Kensington.
He then studied at the American Community School.
However, when his parents divorced he moved to Hounslow and had to slum it.
He changed schools, going to Ashton House primary and then Isleworth & Syon School.
It was at the latter he met his pal Mo Farah and they’ve stayed close ever since.
Joe Fournier went to school with Mo Farah and the pair are still matesCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
Joe Fournier rarely puts his feet up to relaxCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
Fournier once said he “went from having a chauffeur driven car to school every day, to taking the bus.”
As good as he is in the ring, boasting nine knockouts from his nine professional fights, Joe could’ve been a professional basketball player.
He was so good on the court, and a natural leader, that he was chosen to captain the England basketball team 43 times.
However, a serious scaphoid injury curtailed his progress and his basketball days were soon over.
Being naturally fit, Joe decided to enter the world of personal training and set up his own gym.
He claimed he “acted as a trainer, PR and cleaner all-in-one” during this time as he grew his business.
Joe managed to bag some exclusive clients, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna.
He even trained stuntmen from the James Bond franchise as his star in the fitness world began to grow.
Superfit Joe Fournier made a fortune from his own gymCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
Joe Fournier soon became accustomed to the riches in lifeCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
Joe wrote a book in 2008 called Red Carpet Workout, which he got an advance of £30k for and still receives royalties to this day.
In 2012, he then sold his business for an undisclosed sum to a FTSE 100 company.
At 29-years-old Joe decided he wanted to invest his money into nightclubs.
He took over Whisky Mist and changed their fortunes, helping them make a profit for the first time in years.
The Rose Club, Bonbonniere London and Streaky Gin soon followed, with the recent addition of Bonbonniere Mykonos adding to his business empire.
Joe Fournier owns Mayfair private members club BonbonniereCredit: Bonbonniere Nightclub
Joe Fournier once dated heiress and LA socialite Paris HiltonCredit: Splash News
Joe Fournier has hung out with rapper 50 CentCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
David Haye and pal Joe Fournier fly to Germany before fight night
Joe Fournier is also close to Nicole ScherzingerCredit: Rex Features
Jose Mourinho is a fan of Joe FournierCredit: Rex Features
Joe has entertained the likes of Snoop Dog, Paris Hilton, 50 Cent, Jamie Foxx and Nicole Scherzinger in his private bars.
“It’s really difficult to get people to do lunges and eat salad, but it was easy getting people pissed, drink gin and tonic, party, and eat pizza,” Joe explained.
Joe’s clubs earn him around “20-30 million a year” and he’s said to be worth over £100m.
He regularly hires his own private jet and helicopter wherever he travels.
Millionaire Joe Fournier has his own private jet
Joe Fournier also likes to fly by helicopterCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
Knowing people in high places, including former British heavyweight David Haye, opens doors.
So, when the ex-world champ boxer allowed Joe to train in his now defunct Hayemaker gym in south London, it was the beginning of a new challenge in his life.
“My first bar was with former world champion Barry Jones, so I’ve been around boxing for years,” Joe said on his new venture.
“Having grown up in a tough neighbourhood in Hounslow, you know if you can punch or not and you know if you can take a punch.
Joe Fournier challenged himself in the world of boxingCredit: Rex Features
Fournier found boxing came easy after growing up rough HounslowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fournier wanted to lose weight through boxing and hit the gym hardCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
“A lot of strength and conditioning coaches make you box and I was always better than the other guys.
“But when life is good and you have a girlfriend, you have a curry that turns into a pizza that turns into a bottle of wine.
“And about five years ago I broke up with my long-term girlfriend; I was fat, weighed 230lb and was a disgrace.
“The nightclubs do a white collar boxing event but none of the other owners would fight me and if I was to fight a staff member from another club, I’d have everything to lose.
Fournier did not let the high-life get in the way of his strict trainingCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
The Hounslow-born brawler was confident he could have a successful future in the ringCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“But a friend of mine wrote on Facebook that they’d had a fight and I got in touch.”
Joe made his debut in late 2015 in the Dominican Republic, defeating Jorge Burgos by way of knockout.
“I just wanted to win a fight as a professional so I could tell my grandkids, but now I’m building something,” he said.
“My businesses have been phenomenal and I’m the sharpest I’ve ever been.
“I used to knock back the beers but I’ve stopped drinking and people send me emails saying they’ve lost 20lb since they started following me on Instagram.
Training at a gym owned by David Haye helped Joe Fournier get fight-fitCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
Joe Fournier is now the WBA International championCredit: Instagram, @joefournierclub
“I sent guys I went to school with to do white collar boxing and it’s kept their marriage together.
“I’m never going to win a world title but if I could win a belt of some sort it would be a dream come true.”
Joe’s crowning glory, which has propelled him up the boxing stratosphere, was a WBA International title shot against Wilmer Mejia a week before last Christmas.
He was drafted in as a late-replacement opponent for the Dominican, who was the favourite to win.
Joe Fournier can celebrate a remarkable achievement after just 2-years as a proCredit: Getty Images – Getty
After losing the first 2 rounds, he rocked Mejia with an uppercut in the 6th. Joe then finished the brawler in the 8th with a stunning body blow.
The playboy famed for owning superclubs celebrated the only way he knew how…
“We had a bottle of beer then it was back to the hotel as I had to catch a flight at 5am,” he said.
And now he will have the eyes of the world on him once again as he tries to collect the impressive scalp of former two-weight world champ Haye.
David Haye ‘to come out of boxing retirement aged 40 for comeback fight against Joe Fournier’ on Oscar De La Hoya’s undercard More

TYSON FURY’S dad says the world heavyweight champion’s new baby was “dead for three minutes” but saved by hospital “miracle” workers.The Gypsy King and wife Paris had their sixth child on Sunday but Athena was soon put on ventilators as she battled for life.
Tyson Fury and wife Paris have given positive updates as new daughter Athena is doing better at Alder Hey Children’s HospitalCredit: Instagram
Tyson Fury has been anxious about Athena but his dad John revealed on Thursday that the four-day-old girl is off ventilatorsCredit: Twitter @Tyson_Fury
And Tyson’s father John praised Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for its incredible intervention as Athena slowly recovers OFF ventilators.
John told BT Sport: “It’s been a bit of a white knuckle ride. We’ve had a lot to deal with.
“But we’ve come out on the other side due to professionalism of Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool.
“They’re the best children’s hospital in the country if not the world.
“They’ve been really magnificent. They’ve really saved her life because she was dead for three minutes and they brought her back.
“It’s onwards and upwards from today.”
Tyson, who was 33 on Thursday, posted an equally-positive message himself on his Instagram story.
Tyson Fury and wife Paris have had an anxious few days as their sixth child, Athena, was on a ventilator
He wrote: “Update for everyone. Baby Athena is well and has had a stable day off [the] ventilator.
“Thanks to everyone for the prayers, still in the ICU for now.
“Thanks to all the Drs and nurses. God bless you all.”
WBC king Fury earlier set up a GoFundMe page for the Alder Hey Family House Trust, which at the time of writing had raised £34,532 towards its £50k target.

The grateful Brit will also auction off two signed WBC belts to raise more money for the fund.
Fury has been building up for a third fight with dethroned Yank Deontay Wilder.
Their trilogy bout was rescheduled for October after the Gypsy King tested positive for Covid-19.
Tyson Fury asks for donations to the hospital that is looking after his new born daughter Athena More

TYSON FURY has revealed his newborn baby Athena is in a ‘stable’ condition – but remains in the intensive care unit.The Gypsy King and wife Paris welcomed their sixth child into the world last Sunday but immediately saw her placed into the ICU.
Baby Athena was welcomed into the world last weekendCredit: Instagram / @parisfury1
Tyson Fury and his wife Paris celebrated the birth of their sixth child last Sunday
Athena is currently in the intensive care unitCredit: Instagram @gypsyking101
Athena was in a stable condition on Monday but was put back into the ICU on Tuesday, although she’s seemingly now on track to leave the unit.
Fury wrote on his Instagram story: “Update for everyone. Baby Athena is well and has had a stable day off [the] ventilator.
“Thanks to everyone for the prayers, still in the ICU for now.
“Thanks to all the Drs and nurses. God bless you all.”
Fury, 33, announced the birth of his third daughter last Sunday, tweeting: “Please can everyone pray for my baby girl who was born this morning.
“Athena Fury was born 8/8/21. Thanks. God is great. Massive thanks for all the messages and support.

“The baby is in a stable position and doing well. Hopefully, she comes out of ICU today.
“Please keep baby Athena in your prayers. Paris is doing great. God bless.”
In light of his daughter’s stint in the ICU, WBC heavyweight champion Fury has set up a GoFundMe page for the Alder Hey Family House Trust in Liverpool.
In addition to the cash generated by the GoFundMe, Fury will auction off two signed WBC belts to raise further funds for the Trust.
At time of writing, Fury has raised an impressive £34,092.
The lineal heavyweight champion of the world took to Twitter on Monday to thank all those who have contributed to the fund.
Baby Athena is well and has had a stable day off [the] ventilator.Tyson Fury on Instagram
He tweeted: “When the power of social media is utilised for good it’s beautiful to witness.
“We’ve raised over £27k in 5 hours @RMHCUK. Thank you all.
“Please continue to support this cause, raise awareness for an independent charity that depends on donations.”
Athena is the couple’s third daughter – following Venezuela, 11, and Valencia Amber, three.
Their boys are Prince John James, eight, Prince Tyson II, four, and one-year-old Prince Adonis Amaziah.
Fury is currently gearing up for a third fight with American foe Deontay Wilder.
The pair were due to renew their rivalry last month but had their trilogy fight rescheduled for October after Fury tested positive for Covid-19.
Tyson Fury’s wife Paris gives update on newborn baby in intensive care More

DAVID HAYE will make his comeback against Joe Fournier in a professional fight NOT an exhibition which will count on his record. The British boxing legend, 28-4, retired in 2018 after consecutive defeats against Tony Bellew.
David Haye is set to come out of retirement in a comeback fight against Joe FournierCredit: Richard Pelham – The Sun
British business tycoon Joe FournierCredit: Rex Features
And having been plagued by injuries throughout his career, Haye appeared happy on the sidelines as a manager and promoter.
But according to ESPN, the former cruiserweight and heavyweight champion is back.
And he will return over eight-rounds against businessman Fournier on September 11 in a pro sanctioned bout, NOT an exhibition, the report adds.
Interestingly, the pair are good friends, and Fournier even fought on cards promoted by Haye having signed with Hayemaker Promotions in 2016.
They were even on holiday together just last month in Mykonos.
Entrepreneur Fournier, 38, who is officially unbeaten in ten fights, returned to the ring after five years out in April under Triller’s ‘Fight Club’ banner.
He knocked out musician Reykon, 34, on Jake Paul’s undercard and afterwards called out the YouTuber.
Haye even tried to organise a fight for the nightclub tycoon against Paul, having had a prior relationship with trainer BJ Flores.
So it comes out of left field that the former two-weight champion has decided to face Fournier.
Headlining the night is Oscar De La Hoya, 48, who retired 13 years ago after a one-sided beating to Manny Pacquiao, who is still fighting at 42.
De La Hoya faces former UFC champion Vitor Belfort, 44, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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Also on the card, Anderson Silva, 46, will fight Tito Ortiz, 44, both ex-UFC champions, too.
Triller burst onto the boxing scene last November, when Mike Tyson, 55, come out of retirement in an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr, 52.
Paul has also twice featured on the social media app’s promotion, beating ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 37, on Tyson’s undercard and then knocking out retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37, last April.
David Haye ‘to come out of boxing retirement aged 40 for comeback fight against Joe Fournier’ on Oscar De La Hoya’s undercard More