Joe Fournier
Born
Monaco
Occupations
Years active2012–present
Boxing career
Other namesThe Badass Billionaire
The Billionaire
Statistics
Weight(s)Light heavyweight
Height6 ft (183 cm)
Reach78 in (198 cm)
StanceOrthodox[1]
Boxing record
Total fights11
Wins10
Wins by KO10
No contests1

Joe Fournier (born January 23, 1983)[2] is a British businessman and professional boxer. He started a fitness business, before selling it and then subsequently moved into the nightclub industry.[3][4]

He had an exhibition fight with David Haye on 11 September 2021 and lost via unanimous decision.[5] He fought KSI on 13 May 2023, in what was controversially ruled a second round KO. This decision was later overturned to a no contest after a review showed KSI accidentally striking Fournier with his elbow.[6][7]

Early life

It is reported by some outlets that Fournier was born in Monaco, before moving to London, England.[8][4] Although The Times says he was born in London and moved to Monaco.[9] His father was a pilot from Monaco, and his mother a housewife.[10] Fournier attended Lycée Français Charles De Gaulle de Londres in Kensington then American Community School. After his parents' divorce Fournier moved to Hounslow with his mother and attended Ashton House primary and then Isleworth & Syon School. When living with his mother Fournier "went from having a chauffeur driven car to school every day, to taking the bus."[4]

Fournier studied human biology and sports science at St Mary's University.

Business

After being forced to retire from boxing due to a scaphoid injury, Fournier set up his own gym where he acted as "a trainer, PR, and cleaner, all-in-one."[4]

Fournier grew the gym business and gained recognition as a personal trainer with a roster of celebrity clients.[11] Fournier wrote Red Carpet Workout in 2008 of which he said: "Growing up, I was street-smart but got a D in English, so publishing a book made my mum and my family proud. I get royalties from it and got quite a bit up front too, about £30,000 which I split with my agent and the ghostwriter."[12]

Fournier sold his fitness business and studios to a FTSE 100 company in 2012.[4] He made his money by owning the freehold to his gyms having moved into real estate almost by mistake. "It wasn't the gyms that brought the fortune, it was that I held the Freehold leases to the properties," he explains. "I ended up selling all 14 locations to a FTSE 100 company and that was my first real kill."[3]

Fournier invested in nightclubs, opening and owning Whisky Mist, The Rose Club, Bonbonniere London and Streaky Gin. Most recently he opened Bonbonniere Mikonos. Fournier invested in nightclubs stating, "It's really difficult to get people to do lunges and eat salad, but it was easy getting people to get pissed, drink gin and tonic, party, and eat pizza."[4]

Boxing career

Professional career

In 2015 Fournier took up boxing professionally. He is signed to Hayemaker Promotions.[13] His record currently stands as 9 wins 1 No Contest with all wins by TKO.[14] He made his debut in the light heavyweight division against Jorge Burgos in the Dominican Republic. He defeated Manuel Regalado and Pedro Sencion before appearing on the undercard of David Haye-Arnold Gjergjaj on 21 May 2016 at the O2 Arena, London. Fournier defeated Bela Juhasz inside two rounds.[15]

Fournier vs Stini

Fournier then fought in Belgium beating Mustapha Stini. Fournier, had "no real problems" defeating Stini.[16]

Elliot Worsell wrote on website boxingnewsonline.net that "What does appear on Fournier's BoxRec record, however, are details of a failed drug test (for sibutramine), for which he was banned by NADO until December 2020, following a bout with Mustapha Stini in June 2016".[17]

Fournier vs Mejia

On 18 December 2017, Fournier fought Wilmer Mejia at Casa de los Clubes in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in a then professional bout and won via knockout in the 8th round. Fournier was awarded the vacant WBA international light heavyweight belt by Agent 324. Fournier moved up to 11th in the rankings thanks to this victory against his first southpaw opponent. Fournier used the victory to reiterate his desire to fight fellow countryman Callum Smith saying, "I will buy him a jet plane or a house if he fights me!"[18][19]

Fournier vs. Reykon

On 17 April 2021, Fournier fought Colombian singer Reykon.[20] Fournier defeated Reykon via corner retirement after the 1st round. Fournier came under fire for making a derogatory comment about Colombians and kidnappings during the first press conference.

Fournier vs KSI

On 22 March 2023, it was announced that Fournier would face YouTuber KSI as the headline for MF & DAZN: X Series 007 on 13 May at Wembley Arena in London, England for the MF cruiserweight title.[6] KSI defeated Fournier via knockout in the 2nd round, however controversy arose after replays showed KSI landing an illegal elbow strike during the finishing sequence.[21][22] On 15 May, Fournier appealed the decision and the Professional Boxing Association called for both fighters to make their cases, they also announced a decision on the issue would be made by 19 May at the latest.[23] On 19 May, the PBA officially ruled the bout as a no contest.[24]

Exhibition bouts

Fournier vs. Haye

On 11 September 2021, Fournier suffered his first loss against his friend and former two-division world champion David Haye in an exhibition bout via unanimous decision on the undercard of Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort.[5]

Personal life

Fournier went to Iselworth and Syon school with Sir Mo Farah and classes him as one of his closest friends.[8][25]

Joe Fournier also has revealed his interest of running for the mayor of Hounslow.[25]

Philanthropy

Fournier supports Caudwell Children and ran the Joe Fournier Foundation until 2021. The latter paid for coaching and after-school clubs in Hounslow.[9]

Boxing record

Professional

10 fights 9 wins 0 losses
By knockout 9 0
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
11 Win 9–0 (1) Reykon RTD 2 (6), 3:00 17 Apr 2021 Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
10 — — Wilmer Mejia KO 2 (8) 18 Dec 2017 Casa de los Clubes, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Won vacant WBA International light-heavyweight title; sources do not include this fight in his record[18][19]
9 Win 8–0 (1) Antonio Sanchez TKO 5 (6), 1:43 16 Dec 2016 Cancha Palma de Alma Rosa, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
8 Win 7–0 (1) Francisco Suero TKO 1 (6), 2:03 18 Aug 2016 Polideportivo Ambiorix Estevez, Dajabón, Dominican Republic
7 Win 6–0 (1) Johnny Ascencio TKO 1 (6), 2:31 1 Aug 2016 Club Luz y Progreso, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
6 Win 5–0 (1) Jose Santos TKO 3 (6), 2:03 15 July 2016 Club Maquiteria, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
5 NC 4–0 (1) Mustapha Stini NC 2 (8), 1:02 25 Jun 2016 Ninove, Belgium Overturned after Fournier tested positive for banned substances.
4 Win 4–0 Bela Juhasz TKO 2 (4), 1:43 21 May 2016 The O2 Arena, London, England
3 Win 3–0 Pedro Sencion TKO 2 (4), 1:05 20 Feb 2016 Coliseo Pedro Julio Nolasco, La Romana, Dominican Republic
2 Win 2–0 Manuel Ragalado TKO 1 (4), 0:38 20 Nov 2015 Casa de los Clubes, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
1 Win 1–0 Jorge Burgos TKO 1 (4), 1:30 22 Oct 2015 Casa de los Clubes, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Exhibition

1 fight 0 wins 1 loss
By decision 0 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
2 NC0-1-1NC KSI NC 2 (6), 1:26 13 May 2023 Wembley Arena, London, England MF-Professional bout
For MFB cruiserweight title.
Originally a KO win for KSI; overturned due to an accidental elbow strike.
1 Loss 0–1 David Haye UD 8 11 Sep 2021 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida, US

Pay-per-view bouts

United Kingdom
No. Date Fight Billing Network Buys Revenue Source(s)
1 13 May 2023 KSI vs Fournier — DAZN 300,000 £6,000,000 [26]
Total 300,000 £6,000,000

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2024 Misfits Boxing Awards Best Ringwalk Himself Pending [27]

References

  1. ↑ "BoxRec: Joe Fournier". BoxRec. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  2. ↑ "Joe Fournier: Record & Stats". www.martialbot.com. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  3. 1 2 Suhrawardi, Rebecca. "From £0 to £100 Million, Entrepreneur Joe Fournier Talks Art And The Next Stage Of His Career". Forbes.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "This British multi-millionaire told us how he became a nightclub magnate and BFFs with Paris Hilton". Business Insider.
  5. 1 2 Idec, Keith. "David Haye Drops, Easily Boxes Past Joe Fournier For Decision Win". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  6. 1 2 DAZN (22 March 2023). "KSI vs. Joe Fournier headlines MF & DAZN: X Series 007 in May". DAZN.
  7. ↑ Happy Punch (19 May 2023). "KSI vs Joe Fournier has been overturned to a 'No Decision' by the PBA". Twitter.
  8. 1 2 "How We Met: Joe Fournier & Mo Farah". The Independent. 9 August 2015. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022.
  9. 1 2 Mikhailova, Anna. "After starting small, I've hit the heights". www.thetimes.co.uk.
  10. ↑ Brinded, Lianna. "This British multi-millionaire told us how he became a nightclub magnate and BFFs with Paris Hilton". Business Insider. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  11. ↑ Moodie, Clemmie (6 August 2015). "'Who wants to be a billionaire? After 48 hours like this I do'". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  12. ↑ Mikhailova, Anna. "After starting small, I've hit the heights". Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "Millionaire CEO/boxer added to May 21 Haye/Briggs card in London". Boxing News. 2 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "BoxRec - Joe Fournier". boxrec.com.
  15. ↑ Arena, Sachin Nakrani at the O2 (21 May 2016). "David Haye unleashes force and fury to demolish Arnold Gjergjaj". The Observer – via www.theguardian.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ "Boxing results - Ian Lewison victorious in China". Boxing News. 29 June 2016.
  17. ↑ Worsell, Elliot (3 January 2018). "Joe Fournier is the 11th best light-heavyweight in the world - Apparently - Boxing News". www.boxingnewsonline.net.
  18. 1 2 "Joe Fournier wins WBA International title". fightnews.com. 18 December 2017.
  19. 1 2 Armit, Eric (14 January 2018). "WBA knew Joe Fournier was serving drug ban but ranked him anyway". Boxing News. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Damon Martin (11 March 2021). "Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren undercard officially adds three fights". mmafighting.com.
  21. ↑ "KSI knocks out Joe Fournier with controversial elbow". The Independent. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  22. ↑ "Controversy erupts as YouTube star KSI knocks out professional boxer Joe Fournier with illegal elbow". Fox Sports. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  23. ↑ Benson, Michael (15 May 2023). "Joe Fournier officially appeals KSI elbow knockout as PBA commission confirm they will conduct review". TalkSport.
  24. ↑ "KSI win over Fournier overturned... fight ruled 'No Contest'". TMZ. 19 May 2023.
  25. 1 2 Cumber, Robert (21 January 2016). "Multi-millionaire club owner wants to be Hounslow's next mayor". MyLondon. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  26. ↑ Davies, Gareth (17 May 2023). ""Bring it on, @tommytntfury vs @KSI" 👀 @GarethADaviesDT & @LeePhelps talk about the controversy of KSI's win and what happens next in the #FinalRoundExtra... Plus KSI vs Fournier does 300k ppv buys per sources". Twitter.
  27. ↑ "👑 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗫𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 👑". Twitter. 31 December 2023.

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