MAFS' Luke speaks out over cancelled boxing match against co-star Jordan

15 January 2024 , 19:53

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MAFS' Luke speaks out over cancelled boxing match against co-star Jordan

Married at First Sight groom Luke Worley has addressed the news that his scheduled boxing match against former co-star Jordan Gayle has been cancelled.

Luke, 31, and Jordan, 26 - who appeared on the E4 show last year - had been due to compete in the ring at the Indigo at the O2 in London on February 9. It was however announced last week that the event had been cancelled.

DKM Plush Boxing - who are understood to have organised the event - suggested on social media just days ago that it was due to concerns that Luke hadn't "been able to train" enough. He has however since addressed the situation and disputed these claims.

Luke Worley has spoken about his cancelled boxing match against former co-star Jordan Gayle (@lukeworley1/Instagram)

Luke - who appeared alongside Jordan on Married at First Sight - reacted to the event's cancellation in a video shared on social media (lukeworley1/Instagram)

Luke - who left MAFS amid tension with Jordan - shared a video message with fans on Instagram. He posted a teaser on his own account but noted that the full video would be available on the account for his podcast Controversial. He commented in the video: "So as you all know the fight's been cancelled. I just wanna come on and say it's not my fault [and it's] not Jordan's fault. The decision isn't something that me and Jordan wanted to happen. It's down to the company [who] have decided to pull the fight."

"Look, I disagree with what they're saying - I've lost two stone," he added. Luke said he's "dropped down" to 183lbs after previously weighing 205lbs, with him adding that "the weight for the fight was 180lbs". He said: "I've worked hard. Jordan's worked hard. [...] It's a shame it hasn't happened."

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Luke had been due to fight against Jordan in a match next month but it was announced last week that it's been cancelled (E4)

Luke continued: "For me, personally, I don't think it's nothing to do with the training. I think if the money wasn't as high, they wouldn't have pulled the fight if that makes sense. That's the reason I think the fight's been pulled. I don't think it's anything to do with training. I'm ready to fight. I'll happily fight tomorrow. Jordan's happy to fight tomorrow.

"The long and short of it - it's none of their business what training we were putting in. And we have been working hard. So either way, look, it is what it is. Hopefully, we can get it done ... sorted through another company, there is talks ongoing. Me and Jordan are both annoyed about the situation but there's not a lot we can do."

"I'm not gonna sl*g off the company, it is what it is. I think they could have done things better, don't get me wrong, and I don't think it's actually anything to do with not being ready for the fight on the 9th, but it is what it is," he concluded. He further discussed the event in the caption that accompanied the video, writing at one point: "Ultimately I believe the real reason behind the cancellation is money related as they wanted to renegotiate the terms after a contract was already signed. If the reason was really that they thought I wouldn't be ready, they wouldn't have a fighter on the undercard that openly admits he can't run 5k."

He further commented in the caption: "We have been approached by other organisations who would love to host the event but the current date will not happen." He concluded: "Good luck to [DKM Plush] with the rest of the event." DKM Plush shared that the event had been cancelled in a post on Instagram last week. It read: "It is with deep regret we announce that the scheduled bout between Luke Worley & Jordan Gayle has been cancelled by ourselves (DKM Plush).

"Boxing can be a brutal, unforgiving sport & due to the comments outside of training for the scheduled bout, we have concerns that Luke hasn't been able to train as we would expect from him worthy of a 5 x 2 min bout on February 9th. We understand that on the back of reality shows, there are comments & opportunities that are only available for a while. The time in the spotlight off the back of taking part in such a series is short-lived & we understand that commitment to a regulated training camp is hard to maintain.

"However, as much as we understand the busy schedules of both fights, we would still expect a full camp to take place to ensure both are ready to enter the ring on Feb 9th & unfortunately, this hasn't been the case for Luke." The post concluded: "Whilst we regret this bout between Luke and Jordan will not take place, we are happy to announce that Jordan will still be fighting on the action-packed card & a new opponent will be announced in the coming days."

Joel Leaver