Love Island star sets sights on Joey Essex after Misfits Duel 2 card

Love Island star Jake Cornish has his sights set on TV personality star Joey Essex after his Misfits Duel 2 clash with Wil Anderson.

Jake Cornish, who gained fame when featuring on season seven of UK's Love Island, is set to lock horns with fellow former islander Wil Anderson at Derby's Vaillant Live on Saturday 7th March 2026.

Cornish made his boxing debut at Misfits & DAZN X Series 17 in August 2024, falling to a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Mike Edwards.

The Bristol-born heavyweight will be looking to avenge his defeat in the first Misfits event of 2026, and he's already got his sights set on renowned TV personality star Joey Essex in the event that he overcomes Anderson this weekend.

Speaking to IFN Boxing, Cornish said:

"I wanted to fight Joey Essex. I feel like when I put a statement out that me and Joey Essex would fight, my DMs were going crazy. The comments, people messaging me, tweeting me, I feel like that'd be a good fight.

"I'd come down in weight and I feel like me and Joey would be a good fight.

"I've messaged him, he's seen my messages, he's seen my mates messages. Listen, respect to him (as) he's training but I feel like me and Joey could put on a good show because (his) last fight against Numeiro was an entertaining fight. They both left everything in that ring, hats off to them.

"I feel like me and Joey would be quite exciting. Whether he'd take it or not, I don't know, but (I'll fight) whoever Mams (Taylor) says really.

"If he wants it, I'll be there for him. If he doesn't, no worries. I'll be onto the next."

Like Cornish, Essex has only had one bout in his short boxing career, clashing with Portugal's Numeiro at the Manchester Arena in August 2025.

The former I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here contestant emerged victorious in a scintillating four-round affair, with a number of spectators branding it the fight of the night.

Essex's stance on a future Misfits bout remains to be seen, but you'd suspect a return to the scene is inevitable in 2026 after an impressive debut.