Madonna’s boxer boyfriend’s professional career is off to a rocky start — denied license for medical reason


Madonna in the gym with her boyfriend Josh Popper — who is attempting to start his professional boxing career.Madonna in the gym with her boyfriend Josh Popper — who is attempting to start his professional boxing career.Instagram/@_joshpopper

Madonna’s boxer boyfriend is getting beaten up, and he hasn’t even gotten in the ring.

Josh Popper — who’s been dating the superstar for nearly a year — is getting set to make his professional debut.

But Page Six hears that the process has become something of a debacle — not helped by the fact that he’s seeing one of the most famous people on Earth, drawing more attention to the matchup than most amateurs making the leap to prizefighting.

The 30-year-old was scheduled to have his first pro fight next month, but the transition got off to a bad start when he lost in his final amateur bout to Miguel Matias in a unanimous decision Nov. 5 at the Sweatbox gym in Brooklyn.

Regardless, plans went ahead for his pro punch-up at the Sony Hall in Times Square Dec. 16 — not least because everyone seems keen to capitalize on his girlfriend’s fame to goose ticket sales.

Madonna has been dating Popper for nearly a year.
Madonna has been dating Popper for nearly a year.Instagram / _joshpopper

Popper's application to get a professional boxing license was denied after a medical exam.
Popper’s application to get a professional boxing license was denied after a medical exam.Instagram/@_joshpopper

Popper was supposed to make his professional debut at the Sony Hall in Times Square on Dec. 16.
Popper was supposed to make his professional debut at the Sony Hall in Times Square on Dec. 16.Instagram/_joshpopper
There were even plans underway for Madonna, who has a show at Barclays Center the same night, to catch his fight before heading across the bridge.