Madonna’s Boxer Boyfriend, Josh Popper, 30, Fails Medical Exam While Trying To Go Professional

Pop icon Madonna‘s boyfriend Josh Popper, a professional boxer, has hit a snag in his career before he has even stepped into the ring.

Popper, 30, has been in a relationship with Madonna, 65, for nearly a year. He is in preparation for his debut as a professional boxer but has encountered numerous obstacles on the way, all the more publicized due to his relationship with one of the most famous people on the planet.

His relationship draws a significant amount of attention to his future matches, unlike most amateurs who transition into the world of professional boxing more slowly.

Popper had originally been scheduled for his inaugural professional fight next month. But, his journey hit a rough patch when he suffered a loss in his final amateur bout to Miguel Matias on November 5 at the Sweatbox Gym in Brooklyn.

The defeat came via a unanimous decision, which complicated Popper’s transition into the professional boxing realm.

Popper reportedly applied for a pro license, but a medical exam found him to have a scratched cornea, which resulted in the denial of the license.

A defensive lineman on Rowan University’s football team, Popper caught the attention of the Arizona Cardinals, who asked Popper to attend its rookie minicamp in May 2016. He was cut before the season began and instead trained with the Indianapolis Colts the next year. He was also released from the Colts before he could make his professional debut.

After football, Popper began to pursue his interest in boxing. He started to train, and in 2019 he shared videos on Instagram of his progress in the ring.

This led him to open Bredwinners Boxing Studio in New York, in 2021. Popper and fellow trainer Coach Ruben train men and women who wish to become competitive boxers or lose weight through the sport.

This is where Popper met Madonna while he trained her son David Banda.

Throughout her career, Madonna has dated some of entertainment’s biggest stars, such as Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur and Sean Penn.

In recent years, the singer has opted for younger men.

Madonna and Popper have been together since February 2023.