Jordan Banjo following in father's footsteps as Diversity star gears-up for Misfits bow

Diversity star Jordan Banjo will make his Misfits debut in Derby on Friday night when he takes on former Love Island star Wil Anderson, the brother of Nottingham Forest ace Elliott Anderson.

The 32-year-old shot to fame in 2009 when the street dance group defied the odds to beat Susan Boyle in the final of Britain's Got Talent, landing them a bumper £100,000 in the process.

Whilst Diversity have since gone from strength to strength, packing out arenas and venues all across the world, Banjo will turn his hand to something new on Friday night... boxing!

The Londoner is a self-confessed boxing fanatic and is a regular attendee at events across the United Kingdom, most recently taking in Chris Eubank Jr's enthralling victory over Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, whilst he has usually enjoyed the action from afar, he will be providing the drama for the first time this weekend, featuring on a stacked Misfits bill which is topped by Darren Till v Darren Stewart.

"My dad fought for the British title a long time ago - he was a talented fighter but got disillusioned with the business side of the sport," Banjo told talkSPORT.

I am going to try my best to follow in his footsteps at a different level of course.

- Jordan Banjo (talkSPORT)

"He never let me in the gym as a kid. I wanted to be in the gym, but he didn't want me or Ashley to fight. I've been super fortunate and blessed in life and been really successful in dancing.

"But my dad is asking 'why do you want to do this?' He will be at the fight though."

Banjo admits that his decision to step inside the ring will have come as a surprise to many, especially the millions of devoted Diversity fans, whilst the fact that he is also fighting the brother of a famous footballer adds additional intrigue to the four-round bout.

"I saw a lot of people at first, there reaction was why is the guy from Diversity fighting Elliot Anderson's brother?," he smiled. "I can't even argue with that, it does seem a bit random.

"I actually met him at a Misfits event and we became Instagram friends, but then Misfits rang and they said, 'you are fighting Wil Anderson'. Then I suddenly flicked on interviews, and he's saying, 'I'm going to knock his teeth out'.

"I know everyone has to sell the fight and things, he's a lovely guy. I reckon it's going to be a really good fight though."

Banjo added: "I just want to win and I will take it however it comes."

Fight fans can catch the full bill of action live on DAZN on Friday night, with the undercard for Darren Till v Darren Stewart getting underway from 19:00 (BST).

Mark Mothershaw

• Misfits Boxing
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