Daniella Hemsley is a 22-year-old OnlyFans model who recently made headlines for her controversial actions during a boxing match. She won an unanimous decision against Aleksandra Daniel at a Kingpyn Boxing event in Dublin, Ireland, on July 16, 2023. However, her victory was overshadowed by her post-win celebration, which involved lifting up her top and flashing the audience and those watching on live TV.
The Celebration Itself
After her victory on July 15 at the 3A Arena in Dublin, Ireland, Hemsley celebrated in a shocking manner that quickly went viral. She lifted her shirt and exposed herself to the live camera, leaving viewers stunned and outraged. The incident was watched by several people at the event and also on the internet.
The incident drew strong criticism on social media. Fans expressed their disappointment and concern over the inappropriate display. One fan stated: “Gotta put a stop to this now before it gets out of hand!!!”. Another fan questioned the appropriateness of the incident, stating: “Crazy how kids were watching this on YouTube.”.
Boxing superstar Claressa Shields also spoke out against Hemsley’s actions. Shields, known for her impressive career and advocacy for women’s boxing, expressed her disapproval of Hemsley’s post-fight celebrations.
Hemsley’s response
In her own words, Hemsley explained her motivations behind the spontaneous act:
- Emotional Excitement: In an interview after the match, Hemsley explained that her emotions got the better of her. She said, “I got a little excited. I just wanted to express myself”. This suggests that her act was spontaneous and driven by the thrill of her victory.
- Unintentional Exposure: Hemsley claimed that her exposure was not intentional. She stated, “I did actually have tassels on but the sweat stuck them to my bra”. This implies that her act was an accident rather than a deliberate attempt to shock or offend (full statement below).
- Hemsley expressed her hope that people enjoyed her win and the celebration, as well as her first win in her boxing career
- Online Presence: Despite the controversy, Hemsley’s act significantly boosted her online presence. She even shared a photo on Twitter with the caption, “In case you missed it”, indicating that she may have seen the incident as an opportunity to gain more attention.
Reaction and Criticism
Daniella Hemsley received significant criticism for her post-fight celebration, particularly from boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and others. Here are the details:
- Eddie Hearn: Prominent promoter Eddie Hearn strongly criticized Daniella Hemsley’s post-fight behavior. He expressed his disapproval of the entire influencer boxing segment and called for its removal from professional boxing. Hearn believes that the incident was harmful to the integrity of the sport and a reflection of the negative impact of influencers in modern society. Hemsley responded to Hearn’s critique by stating, “It was bound to happen, it’s inevitable, isn’t it?”. She acknowledged that Hearn has a disdain for YouTube boxing, dismissing it as a joke and not comparable to professional boxing.
- Claressa Shields: Boxing superstar Claressa Shields also spoke out against Hemsley’s actions. Shields, known for her impressive career and advocacy for women’s boxing, expressed her disapproval of Hemsley’s post-fight celebrations. In a tweet, Shields wrote: “Wow… this is a step backwards for women’s boxing. Stop this s**t.”.
Public reaction
Critical Reactions:
- Concerns about Young Viewers: Many expressed concern about the appropriateness of Hemsley’s actions considering the possible younger demographic watching the event. One fan stated, “Crazy how kids were watching this on YouTube”.
- Calls for Action: Some fans called for immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future. A fan expressed disbelief, stating: “Gotta put a stop to this now before it gets out of hand!!!”.
- Criticism of Hemsley’s Apology: Some found Hemsley’s public apology on Instagram less than sincere and somewhat defensive.
Supportive Reactions:
- Applauding Self-Expression: While some individuals strongly condemned her behavior, others applauded Hemsley’s bold and unapologetic expression of herself.
- Boost in Online Presence: Despite the controversy, Hemsley’s act significantly boosted her online presence. She even shared a photo on Twitter with the caption, “In case you missed it” which further fueled the discussions around her actions.
Claims of Promoter Involvement
Hemsley’s Claims
Hemsley revealed that the promoter was allegedly the mastermind behind the daring act, which subsequently led to an alleged blackmail attempt. She claimed that the idea for the controversial celebration didn’t originate with her but was suggested by the event’s promoter. This revelation sent shockwaves through the influencer boxing community.
She stated, “I got approval from the promoters, and I was only going to do it if I won, and I did and I got over-excited, and yeah, why not?”. This suggests that she felt pressured or at least permitted by the promoters to engage in the controversial act.
Promoter’s Response
The promoters issued an apology for Hemsley’s controversial celebration and emphasized that the incident didn’t meet their standards. However, there seems to be a contradiction as KingPyn promoter Chris Boyne had a different response to the matter. There is no Boyne’s response yet.
The promoter’s alleged involvement in Hemsley’s celebration and the subsequent blackmail attempt, if true, raises serious ethical and legal concerns. It also sheds light on the potential impact of promoter influence in influencer boxing events. Promoters have a significant role in shaping the narrative and spectacle of such events, and if they are found to be coercing or pressuring participants into inappropriate or illegal acts, it could have far-reaching consequences for the integrity and legitimacy of these events.
However, it’s important to note that these are currently allegations, and the veracity of Hemsley’s claims and the promoter’s responses should be thoroughly investigated before drawing any definitive conclusions.
Suspension and Ban
Consequences of the Celebration Incident
Hemsley’s actions led to her suspension and ban from future boxing events. Kingpyn Boxing, the event’s organizer, issued a statement apologizing to any viewers who were offended by Hemsley’s celebration and emphasized its commitment to hosting top-notch influencer boxing events worldwide. The organization announced that Hemsley would not be appearing in the final event and had decided to take a break from boxing for the time being. Despite Hemsley’s claim that she had permission from the promoters to flash, she was banned from competing in the final of the Kingpyn High Stakes Tournament.
Implications of the Suspension
The suspension and ban have significant implications for Hemsley’s boxing career. While she initially claimed to have been banned from the final event and to be stepping away from the sport, she later clarified that she had not been suspended following her controversial post-fight celebration. However, the controversy and the subsequent ban could have a lasting impact on her reputation and future opportunities in the boxing and influencer communities.
Hemsley issued an apology via her Instagram following the incident. She wrote: “I also apologies [sic] to anyone who may have felt offended by my excitement, I did actually have tassels on but the sweat stuck them to my bra lol.”.
Incendent’s impact on overall sports
The intersection of celebrity, sexuality, and appropriateness in combat sports promotions has been the subject of intense debate and scrutiny. This has been fueled by various incidents and broader societal discussions. Here are some key points from the provided sources and the broader context:
Combat Sports and Culture Wars
The combat sports industry, particularly the UFC, has been criticized for its acceptance of controversial and offensive language used by fighters, which has been seen as crossing the line of acceptability. The lack of consequences for athletes who engage in such behavior has perpetuated a toxic culture within the sport, leading to debates about the unchecked freedom of speech for athletes and the impact of this on the sport at large.
The incident and its aftermath highlight the potential consequences of inappropriate behavior in the context of influencer boxing events. It also underscores the need for clear guidelines, oversight, and accountability to ensure the integrity and legitimacy of such events. The controversy has sparked a broader discussion about the boundaries of acceptable behavior and the responsibility influencers hold, particularly in public events and platforms accessible to a wide range of audiences.
