24 Facts About JJ Bird

Joe-John Daniel "JJ" Bird was born on 9 September 1986 and is a British professional boxer who is known for being a contestant in the eleventh series of the then Channel 4 reality television series Big Brother.

JJ Bird started his boxing career at the age of 14, joining Peterborough Phoenix ABC, run by Gary De Roux.

In January 2007, JJ Bird was granted a professional boxer's licence, and made his boxing debut a month later, beating Frank Celebi on points.

JJ Bird won his next two fights on points, before suffering his first defeat at the hands of Paul Morby in Portsmouth in November 2007.

JJ Bird has had two televised fights, both in 2008, fighting David Walker on Sky Sports, as well as Steve O'Meara on ITV4.

JJ Bird has made several television appearances outside of the ring, appearing as a contestant on the respective gameshows Golden Balls, This Time Tomorrow, and The Cube.

JJ Bird started his boxing career aged 14 when he joined Peterborough Phoenix ABC run by Gary De Roux, he had his first amateur contest on 21 November 2001 in Great Yarmouth and went on to have 25 amateur contests with 12 wins and 13 losses.

In January 2007, JJ Bird was granted a professional boxer's licence, to be co-managed by De Roux and Dean Powell and made his debut on 23 February 2007 at the East of England Showground on a show promoted by Kevin Sanders.

JJ Bird fought and beat Frank Celebi from Bristol on points.

Four months later, JJ Bird won his second fight, beating Duncan Cottier on points in his hometown of Peterborough.

In JJ Bird's first fight outside of Peterborough, in November 2007, he suffered the first defeat of his boxing career, losing on points to Paul Morby at the Mountbatten Centre in Portsmouth.

JJ Bird was set to box Daniel Herdman at the York Hall, but a late switch meant he ended up facing David Walker, a former challenger for British, Commonwealth and European titles rated number 15 in the country.

The victory meant that JJ Bird reached 16th in the British light-middleweight rankings.

JJ Bird's loss was said to be "controversial", with trainer De Roux saying, "there is no way JJ lost that fight".

JJ Bird was scheduled to fight on prizefighter on 15 September 2011.

However, just hours before his boxing return match with prizefighter, JJ Bird collapsed backstage and was unable to compete in the match.

On 9 March 2012 JJ Bird made his return to the ring with Spencer Oliver in his corner.

JJ Bird's first televised fight was his points victory against David Walker, with the fight being televised on Sky Sports in June 2008.

JJ Bird's fight with Steve O'Meara at York Hall in November 2008 was televised on ITV4.

In 2008, JJ Bird turned to television gameshows in an attempt to fund his boxing career, having not been able to fund his medicals.

JJ Bird auditioned for the new series of Gladiators during the same year, and despite passing the physical side of the audition, he was told that he was "not suitable" in front of the cameras.

JJ Bird subsequently appeared as a contestant on the respective gameshows Golden Balls and This Time Tomorrow.

JJ Bird was amongst people on The National Lottery: In it to Win it gameshow and was a model on the fashion and music show Frock Me, as well as modelling alongside Amir Khan for Reebok.

JJ Bird was born in Peterborough and attended St John Fisher School in Peterborough.