| Joe Fournier | |||||||||||||||||||
| Birth Place: | Hounslow, London, England | ||||||||||||||||||
| Years Active: | 2012–present | ||||||||||||||||||
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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.
He had an exhibition fight with David Haye on 11 September 2021 and lost via unanimous decision.[3] 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.[4] [5]
It is reported by some outlets that Fournier was born in Monaco, before moving to London, England. Although The Times says he was born in London and moved to Monaco. His father was a pilot from Monaco, and his mother a housewife.[6] 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."[7]
Fournier studied human biology and sports science at St Mary's University.
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."[7]
Fournier grew the gym business and gained recognition as a personal trainer with a roster of celebrity clients.[8] 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."[9]
Fournier sold his fitness business and studios to a FTSE 100 company in 2012.[7] 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."[10]
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."[7]
In 2015 Fournier took up boxing professionally. He is signed to Hayemaker Promotions.[11] His record currently stands as 9 wins 1 No Contest with all wins by TKO.[12] 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.[13]
Fournier then fought in Belgium beating Mustapha Stini. Fournier, had "no real problems" defeating Stini.[14]
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".[15]
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!"[16] [17]
On 17 April 2021, Fournier fought Colombian singer Reykon.[18] 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.
See main article: article and KSI vs Joe Fournier.
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. 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.[19] [20] 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.[21] On 19 May, the PBA officially ruled the bout as a no contest.[22]
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.
Fournier went to Iselworth and Syon school with Sir Mo Farah and classes him as one of his closest friends.[23] [24]
Joe Fournier also has revealed his interest of running for the mayor of Hounslow.
Fournier supports Caudwell Children and ran the Joe Fournier Foundation until 2021. The latter paid for coaching and after-school clubs in Hounslow.[25]
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 9–0 | KSI | 2 (6), | 13 May 2023 | |||||
| 11 | Win | 9–0 | Reykon | 2 (6), | 17 Apr 2021 | ||||
| 10 | Wilmer Mejia | 2 (8) | 18 Dec 2017 | ||||||
| 9 | Win | 8–0 | Antonio Sanchez | TKO | 5 (6), | 16 Dec 2016 | |||
| 8 | Win | 7–0 | Francisco Suero | TKO | 1 (6), | 18 Aug 2016 | |||
| 7 | Win | 6–0 | Johnny Ascencio | TKO | 1 (6), | 1 Aug 2016 | |||
| 6 | Win | 5–0 | Jose Santos | TKO | 3 (6), | 15 July 2016 | |||
| 5 | 4–0 | Mustapha Stini | 2 (8), | 25 Jun 2016 | |||||
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Bela Juhasz | TKO | 2 (4), | 21 May 2016 | |||
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Pedro Sencion | TKO | 2 (4), | 20 Feb 2016 | |||
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Manuel Ragalado | TKO | 1 (4), | 20 Nov 2015 | |||
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Jorge Burgos | TKO | 1 (4), | 22 Oct 2015 |