Latest news with #BigJohn
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Racehorse owned by TikTok star Big John that costs £60 a share branded ‘terrible' after beating one rival in three races
A RACEHORSE owned by TikTok star Big John has been branded 'terrible' after beating just one rival home in three races. Shares in two-year-old filly Bosh Soldier cost £60 each and give you 0.05 per cent of the horse. Advertisement 3 Viral TikTok star Big John is co-owner of a horse punters can buy a share in for £60 - but is yet to return a penny on the track 3 The social media sensation found fame with his massive Chinese orders 3 Bosh Soldier has beaten just one horse in three runs and lost by a combined 97 lengths - but could prove a totally different animal now she qualifies for handicaps Viral sensation Big John, who has found fame for his colossal Chinese orders and 'Bosh!' catchphrase, has been used in promotion of the runner. Wearing ill-fitting silks, a jockey cap and goggles, he appeared in one video championing the filly and said: "I'm Big John and I'm here to see the Bosh Soldier!" But after being bought by 14-time Champion Jumps Trainer Paul Nicholls' daughter Meg for a shade over £24,000, Bosh Soldier is yet to earn a penny on the track. Trained by the respected George Boughey, who won the 1,000 Guineas with Cachet in 2022, Bosh Soldier has raced three times. Advertisement She finished last of seven on debut at Yarmouth in May when sent off 18-1 under former Champion Apprentice jockey Billy Loughnane. Her next outing came a month later at Chelmsford when she finished last again over six furlongs at odds of 66-1. Then, at Newmarket this month, Bosh Soldier was sent off 150-1 under jockey Grace McEntee for a seven furlong maiden for fillies. She was always behind and finished totally tailed off, beaten a massive 50 lengths with only one horse behind her. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Bosh Soldier qualifies for an official rating now and she may well prove a totally different prospect thrown into handicaps. Especially as shrewd trainer Boughey has shown in the past he knows exactly how to place one to win. But Bosh Soldier's performances - and the cost of shares - have caught the attention of some punters. Especially given she has been beaten a combined 97 lengths on her three runs. Advertisement One punter said she had looked 'terrible' on the track while another wrote on X: "This filly has been running like Big John has been riding her himself." What the owners say about Bosh Soldier Anyone can buy a share in Bosh Soldier, with prices starting at £60. Here's what Racing Club, who run the syndicate, have to say about the horse... Calling all Bosh Soldiers! Introducing our first horse to be based in Newmarket, Bosh Soldier, who is in training with Classic winning trainer George Boughey. This stunning chestnut filly is in collaboration with John Fisher, AKA Big John – hence the name Bosh Soldier! The two-year-old has a striking pedigree, having been sired by Sergei Prokofiev, who was a Group 3 winner and placed in Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot . Since being sent to stud, he has sired the likes of Arizona Blaze (Group 3 winner and Group 1 runner-up) and Enchanting Empress (Listed winner). Sergei Prokofiev's sire Scat Daddy was a two-time Grade 1 winner and has been a phenomenal source of producing horses with plenty of raw speed. With plenty of pace in her pedigree, we're confident that Bosh Soldier will have the speed to blitz her rivals! Bosh Soldier is our first horse in training in Newmarket, which is considered the 'headquarters' of horse racing, as well as being our first horse with trainer George Boughey. The Group 1-winning trainer has gone from strength to strength since saddling his first winner in 2019, and we cannot wait to see him train Bosh Soldier, who looks set for a productive two-year-old campaign in 2025. The syndicate consists of 2,000 shares, with each share purchased equating to a 0.05 per cent shareholding in Bosh Soldier. In fairness, Racing Club VIP, who run the syndicate, have made clear before each of Bosh Soldier's runs that they have been about her gaining experience. And prior to her most recent outing, Boughey said: "Bosh Soldier is yet to show on the track what she's been showing us at home. "She's still a work in progress, but she's got ability." Advertisement Syndicates are a great way to get into racing and this year has shown how good the horses can be. Middleham Park Pacing have finished runner-up in the Derby and Irish Derby with Lazy Griff, winning more than £500,000 in the process. While social media star Basher Watts won the French 1,000 Guineas with Shes Perfect - before the result was overturned in the stewards' room. So while Bosh Soldier is yet to return a profit, there is hope for the future at least. Advertisement And she has some eyecatching entries. Bosh Soldier has been put in the Somerville Auction Stakes at Newmarket on August 23, where victory is worth more than £50,000. And she could line up in October's Tattersalls October Auction Stakes, where a win would net owners £80,000. Either of those would certainly pay for a few takeaways. Advertisement FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Racehorse owned by TikTok star Big John that costs £60 a share branded ‘terrible' after beating one rival in three races
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RACEHORSE owned by TikTok star Big John has been branded 'terrible' after beating just one rival home in three races. Shares in two-year-old filly Bosh Soldier cost £60 each and give you 0.05 per cent of the horse. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Viral TikTok star Big John is co-owner of a horse punters can buy a share in for £60 - but is yet to return a penny on the track 3 The social media sensation found fame with his massive Chinese orders 3 Bosh Soldier has beaten just one horse in three runs and lost by a combined 97 lengths - but could prove a totally different animal now she qualifies for handicaps Viral sensation Big John, who has found fame for his colossal Chinese orders and 'Bosh!' catchphrase, has been used in promotion of the runner. Wearing ill-fitting silks, a jockey cap and goggles, he appeared in one video championing the filly and said: "I'm Big John and I'm here to see the Bosh Soldier!" But after being bought by 14-time Champion Jumps Trainer Paul Nicholls' daughter Meg for a shade over £24,000, Bosh Soldier is yet to earn a penny on the track. Trained by the respected George Boughey, who won the 1,000 Guineas with Cachet in 2022, Bosh Soldier has raced three times. She finished last of seven on debut at Yarmouth in May when sent off 18-1 under former Champion Apprentice jockey Billy Loughnane. Her next outing came a month later at Chelmsford when she finished last again over six furlongs at odds of 66-1. Then, at Newmarket this month, Bosh Soldier was sent off 150-1 under jockey Grace McEntee for a seven furlong maiden for fillies. She was always behind and finished totally tailed off, beaten a massive 50 lengths with only one horse behind her. Bosh Soldier qualifies for an official rating now and she may well prove a totally different prospect thrown into handicaps. Especially as shrewd trainer Boughey has shown in the past he knows exactly how to place one to win. But Bosh Soldier's performances - and the cost of shares - have caught the attention of some punters. Especially given she has been beaten a combined 97 lengths on her three runs. One punter said she had looked 'terrible' on the track while another wrote on X: "This filly has been running like Big John has been riding her himself." What the owners say about Bosh Soldier Anyone can buy a share in Bosh Soldier, with prices starting at £60. Here's what Racing Club, who run the syndicate, have to say about the horse... Calling all Bosh Soldiers! Introducing our first horse to be based in Newmarket, Bosh Soldier, who is in training with Classic winning trainer George Boughey. This stunning chestnut filly is in collaboration with John Fisher, AKA Big John – hence the name Bosh Soldier! The two-year-old has a striking pedigree, having been sired by Sergei Prokofiev, who was a Group 3 winner and placed in Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Since being sent to stud, he has sired the likes of Arizona Blaze (Group 3 winner and Group 1 runner-up) and Enchanting Empress (Listed winner). Sergei Prokofiev's sire Scat Daddy was a two-time Grade 1 winner and has been a phenomenal source of producing horses with plenty of raw speed. With plenty of pace in her pedigree, we're confident that Bosh Soldier will have the speed to blitz her rivals! Bosh Soldier is our first horse in training in Newmarket, which is considered the 'headquarters' of horse racing, as well as being our first horse with trainer George Boughey. The Group 1-winning trainer has gone from strength to strength since saddling his first winner in 2019, and we cannot wait to see him train Bosh Soldier, who looks set for a productive two-year-old campaign in 2025. The syndicate consists of 2,000 shares, with each share purchased equating to a 0.05 per cent shareholding in Bosh Soldier. In fairness, Racing Club VIP, who run the syndicate, have made clear before each of Bosh Soldier's runs that they have been about her gaining experience. And prior to her most recent outing, Boughey said: "Bosh Soldier is yet to show on the track what she's been showing us at home. "She's still a work in progress, but she's got ability." Syndicates are a great way to get into racing and this year has shown how good the horses can be. Middleham Park Pacing have finished runner-up in the Derby and Irish Derby with Lazy Griff, winning more than £500,000 in the process. While social media star Basher Watts won the French 1,000 Guineas with Shes Perfect - before the result was overturned in the stewards' room. So while Bosh Soldier is yet to return a profit, there is hope for the future at least. And she has some eyecatching entries. Bosh Soldier has been put in the Somerville Auction Stakes at Newmarket on August 23, where victory is worth more than £50,000. And she could line up in October's Tattersalls October Auction Stakes, where a win would net owners £80,000. Either of those would certainly pay for a few takeaways. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Racehorse owned by TikTok star Big John that costs £60 a share branded ‘terrible' after beating one rival in three races
A RACEHORSE owned by TikTok star Big John has been branded 'terrible' after beating just one rival home in three races. Shares in two-year-old filly Bosh Soldier cost £60 each and give you 0.05 per cent of the horse. 3 3 3 Viral sensation Big John, who has found fame for his colossal Chinese orders and 'Bosh!' catchphrase, has been used in promotion of the runner. Wearing ill-fitting silks, a jockey cap and goggles, he appeared in one video championing the filly and said: "I'm Big John and I'm here to see the Bosh Soldier!" But after being bought by 14-time Champion Jumps Trainer Paul Nicholls' daughter Meg for a shade over £24,000, Bosh Soldier is yet to earn a penny on the track. Trained by the respected George Boughey, who won the 1,000 Guineas with Cachet in 2022, Bosh Soldier has raced three times. She finished last of seven on debut at Yarmouth in May when sent off 18-1 under former Champion Apprentice jockey Billy Loughnane. Her next outing came a month later at Chelmsford when she finished last again over six furlongs at odds of 66-1. Then, at Newmarket this month, Bosh Soldier was sent off 150-1 under jockey Grace McEntee for a seven furlong maiden for fillies. She was always behind and finished totally tailed off, beaten a massive 50 lengths with only one horse behind her. Bosh Soldier qualifies for an official rating now and she may well prove a totally different prospect thrown into handicaps. Especially as shrewd trainer Boughey has shown in the past he knows exactly how to place one to win. But Bosh Soldier's performances - and the cost of shares - have caught the attention of some punters. Especially given she has been beaten a combined 97 lengths on her three runs. One punter said she had looked 'terrible' on the track while another wrote on X: "This filly has been running like Big John has been riding her himself." What the owners say about Bosh Soldier Anyone can buy a share in Bosh Soldier, with prices starting at £60. Here's what Racing Club, who run the syndicate, have to say about the horse... Calling all Bosh Soldiers! Introducing our first horse to be based in Newmarket, Bosh Soldier, who is in training with Classic winning trainer George Boughey. This stunning chestnut filly is in collaboration with John Fisher, AKA Big John – hence the name Bosh Soldier! The two-year-old has a striking pedigree, having been sired by Sergei Prokofiev, who was a Group 3 winner and placed in Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Since being sent to stud, he has sired the likes of Arizona Blaze (Group 3 winner and Group 1 runner-up) and Enchanting Empress (Listed winner). Sergei Prokofiev's sire Scat Daddy was a two-time Grade 1 winner and has been a phenomenal source of producing horses with plenty of raw speed. With plenty of pace in her pedigree, we're confident that Bosh Soldier will have the speed to blitz her rivals! Bosh Soldier is our first horse in training in Newmarket, which is considered the 'headquarters' of horse racing, as well as being our first horse with trainer George Boughey. The Group 1-winning trainer has gone from strength to strength since saddling his first winner in 2019, and we cannot wait to see him train Bosh Soldier, who looks set for a productive two-year-old campaign in 2025. The syndicate consists of 2,000 shares, with each share purchased equating to a 0.05 per cent shareholding in Bosh Soldier. In fairness, Racing Club VIP, who run the syndicate, have made clear before each of Bosh Soldier's runs that they have been about her gaining experience. And prior to her most recent outing, Boughey said: "Bosh Soldier is yet to show on the track what she's been showing us at home. "She's still a work in progress, but she's got ability." Syndicates are a great way to get into racing and this year has shown how good the horses can be. Middleham Park Pacing have finished runner-up in the Derby and Irish Derby with Lazy Griff, winning more than £500,000 in the process. While social media star Basher Watts won the French 1,000 Guineas with Shes Perfect - before the result was overturned in the stewards' room. So while Bosh Soldier is yet to return a profit, there is hope for the future at least. And she has some eyecatching entries. Bosh Soldier has been put in the Somerville Auction Stakes at Newmarket on August 23, where victory is worth more than £50,000. And she could line up in October's Tattersalls October Auction Stakes, where a win would net owners £80,000. Either of those would certainly pay for a few takeaways. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
20-06-2025
- General
Japanese Jeans Turn Sixty: Visiting Okayama's Denim Capital, Kojima
The first denim jeans made in Japan appeared in April 1965, six decades ago. Today Kojima, Okayama, is a center of the denim culture in Japan. This region continues to attract domestic and international attention as a fashion cultural hub for the rule it continues to play with its technical prowess and innovation in the global jeans market. Cotton at the Industry Core The Kojima region in Kurashiki, in what is now Okayama Prefecture, is no fresh arrival to importance in Japanese history. It gets a mention in Kojiki, the oldest surviving Japanese-language text. While Kojima is now connected to the mainland, it used to be an island, as the –jima in its name suggests. Over time, land reclamation, combined with the accumulation of sand deposited by local rivers, transformed the area into a vast plain. Widespread land reclamation in the Edo period (1603–1868) made the soil of Kojima salty and unsuited for rice production. Farmers therefore cultivated cotton instead, which has better salt tolerance. Cotton produced here was woven into cloth for sails and socks, of which Kojima was the most important production center. From the Edo through the Meiji –periods, sailcloth produced in Kojima was used extensively on the kitamaebune sailing ships that plied the Sea of Japan, connecting Osaka and Hokkaidō. Basically nondyed canvas, sail fabric provided the foundation for Japan's first locally made jeans. History of Kojima and Domestic Denim Production 712 The place name Kojima appears in the Kojiki. Edo Era (1603–1868) Cotton cultivation and sail production takes off. Meiji (1868–1912) Kojima produces canopies and workwear. Early Postwar (1945–60) School uniforms dominate output. 1965 Kojima produces first Japanese-made jeans. 1980– Market becomes more competitive with influx of imported jeans. 1990s– 'Vintage' jeans gain popularity, focusing attention on high end of market. Compiled by the author. In the Meiji era many cotton mills opened around Kojima, producing tents, truck canopies, and workwear. After World War II, cotton school uniforms, of which Kojima was the greatest producer, came to dominate production. Hundreds of years of a thriving cotton industry also made Kojima the repository of significant expertise in sewing. Forced to Change Course However, this cotton powerhouse would soon be flung into crisis. In the latter half of the 1950s, Japanese manufacturers began producing a new fiber called 'Tetoron' (polyester). A revolutionary material claimed to be 'finer than silk and stronger than steel,' Tetoron proved to be a disruptive innovating force in the industry. As Tetoron school uniforms became all the rage, sales of their cotton counterparts plummeted. Major clothing label Maruo Hifuku (now 'Big John') was left with warehouses overflowing with unwanted cotton uniforms. Not knowing what to do, CEO Ozaki Kotarō turned to jeans (often called jīpan in Japanese, a linguistic borrowing from the G in GI, the American military members stationed in the country), which at the time were a major hit in Tokyo's Ameyoko shopping district. An imported American 1960s Union Special sewing machine, capable of sewing rolled seams. (Courtesy Betty Smith Jeans Museum) Ozaki procured a pair of US-made jeans and meticulously examined the fabric and stitching. With its years of sewing experience, Ozaki believed his company had what it took to produce the new garments. However, he had never seen denim before. Maruo Hifuku also lacked the metal rivets used to reinforce jean pockets or metal buttons and zips, not to mention thread suitable for sewing thick cotton fabric, or, for that matter, the right kind of sewing machines. Ultimately, it was only after importing most of these supplies from the United States that Maruo Hifuku was finally able to start making jeans in April 1965. The young women working in this 1970s jeans factory lived in company dormitories. (Courtesy Betty Smith Jeans Museum) Growing the Brand Ozaki was short in stature, even for a Japanese person, and his given name, Kotarō, could be rendered as 'Little John' in English. Feeling that this sounded like a brand for children, Ozaki's product development team eventually settled on 'Big John' instead for their brand name. The first Japanese jeans were manufactured in 1965 under the Big John brand. (Courtesy Betty Smith Jeans Museum) Over time, jeans came to enjoy broad support that transcended class, age, and gender. However, it was actually Ozaki's focus on gender differences that led to the creation of the women's jeans brand 'Betty Smith.' This was followed by the 'Bobson' line, which was established in 1969 as the little brother of the Big John brand. This positioning-based brand strategy, unusual in Japan at the time, proved highly successful. Betty Smith, Japan's first women's jeans brand, was launched in 1970. (Courtesy Betty Smith Jeans Museum) An advertisement for Betty Smith jeans from the 1970s. (Courtesy Betty Smith Jeans Museum) Interestingly, Big John advertised and marketed these brands as if they were from California. Beginning in the 1970s, Japan's textile industry became less competitive due to US-Japan trade friction, the increasingly strong yen, and the industrialization of developing nations, causing the Japanese market to be flooded with jeans imported from the United States and other markets. Now that they had been introduced to the real McCoy, Japanese consumers also became choosier. Kojima's jean manufacturers were forced to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Building on the Region's Original Strengths While Japanese clothing manufacturers initially sourced their raw materials from the United States, Kojima's makers began to explore ways to bring their production focus to a more local level, from materials to crafting methods, early on. As discussed above, the changing business environment also encouraged Kojima jeans manufacturers to innovate. What was traditionally called the Sanbi region (comprising the old domains of Bizen, Bitchū, and Bingo that span today's Okayama and Hiroshima prefectures), has for hundreds of years had a large indigo dyeing industry, and it was this experience that enabled a smooth transition to modern-day indigo dyeing. Hiroshima-based textile manufacturer Kaihara, one of the first to make indigo-dyed denim, is now an internationally renowned company with an over 50% share of the domestic market. According to the Japan Cotton and Staple Fiber Weavers' Association, which represents the cotton textiles industry, a total of 23.9 million square meters of denim were manufactured in the Sanbi region in 2023, representing almost 100% of Japanese made denim. Renowned jeans manufacturers from around the world love the product for its quality and uniqueness. Kuroki is a denim manufacturer based in Ihara, to the west of Kurashiki, that has partnerships with the world's largest luxury brand, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and has received praise for its incorporation of traditional Japanese weaving techniques. Denim manufactured in the Sanbi region travels to Kojima to be made into high-quality jeans. This is because, as noted above, the region is home to a large workforce of skilled textile workers, as well as to the craftmanship and attention to detail that have been passed down from generation to generation. At the heart of Kojima-made jeans are pattern-cutting technologies that make jeans better fitting, and over 200 years of technological innovation in stitching thick cotton. Denim garments shrink slightly over time, a property that Kojima's jean manufacturers have successfully transformed into a comfortable fit through the application of expertise in patterns and stitching. Stitching techniques passed down through generations are the secret of Kojima-made jeans' comfortable fit. (Courtesy Betty Smith Jeans Museum) Kojima manufacturers have also continually tried to avoid falling into the trap of mimicking established overseas brands like Levi's, time and time again creating new value. Their washing techniques are a prime example. Wash processing makes jeans softer and more comfortable to wear. To date, textile manufacturers have developed a variety of wash processes, including stone washing, in which denim garments are put in a washing machine with pumice and abrasives; chemical washing, in which garments are treated with bleach and other additives; and bleaching, in which oxidants and reductants are added to fade the fabric. Another manufacturing technique that enables makers to add value is 'distressing,' in which fabric is sandblasted or otherwise intentionally damaged. As well as enabling Kojima-based manufacturers to differentiate themselves from overseas brands, these techniques have also led to the creation of new trends in jeans fashion. The world-leading refinement of these techniques is the reason that many overseas brands of jeans are produced in Kojima. A World Denim Leader Let us consider what needs to be done to enable the continued development of the Kojima jeans industry. It is possible to identify five main areas where work is needed. The merging of traditional craftsmanship with technological innovation The enhancement of branding Tie-ups between industry and tourism Environmental measures Reuse and recycling With regard to technological innovation, the distressing process is now being performed by lasers, as the merger of this new technology with traditional technologies opens up new markets. When it comes to boosting the 'made in Kojima' brand, we can learn a lot from the Swiss watch industry, which pulled off a successful revival in the 1980s through clever marketing. Harnessing tourist attractions like 'Jeans Street,' which is filled with jeans proprietors, and the Jeans Museum, which showcases the history of Kojima's jeans in a way that shares the appeal of the local jeans culture with a large audience, will win new fans. This unique sign greets visitors to Kojima Jeans Street. (Courtesy Kojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry) This manhole on Kojima Jeans Street features a characteristic logo and orange stitching. (Courtesy Kojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry) It goes without saying that ongoing efforts to manage the large quantities of water and chemicals consumed in the manufacturing process are essential, in addition to other environmental commitments. As textile waste increasingly becomes an issue internationally, initiatives for the reuse of unwanted jeans will become even more important. According to Ōshima Yasuhiro, former chair of the Kojima Chamber of Commerce and president of Betty Smith, 'In addition to being the home of Japanese-produced jeans, Kojima needs to retain its leading position as a manufacturer of the world's most global uniform.' In order to resolve these issues and make Ōshima's aspirations a reality, the fostering of workers who will carry on the craft, as well as engineers who will bring about future innovation, is a matter of urgency. The industry also needs a new entrepreneurial figure to carry on Ozaki Kotarō's legacy of plotting and executing a path for the future. The street remains a popular destination for visitors. (Courtesy Kojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry) References The author referred to the following works in preparing this article. Christensen, Clayton M., The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail, Harvard Business School Press (1997). David, Paul A., 'Clio and the Economics of QWERTY,' in American Economic Review, Vol. 75 No. 2 (1985). Heldt, Gustav (trans.), The Kojiki: An Account of Ancient Matters, Columbia University Press (2014). Porter, Michael E., Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors, Free Press (1980). Porter, Michael E., The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Free Press (1990). Schumpeter, Joseph A., The Theory of Economic Development: An Inquiry into Profits, Capital, Credit, Interest, and the Business Cycle, Harvard University Press (1934). Sugiyama Shinsaku, Nihon jīnzu monogatari (The Story of Japanese Jeans), Kibito Publishing (2009). (Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo: A display of jeans welcomes visitors at the entrance to the Kojima Jeans Street. © Kojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry.)
Belfast Telegraph
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
TikTok star and Chinese food lover ‘Big John Bosh' touches down in Belfast
Known for his catchphrase 'Bosh', Big John has amassed nearly a quarter of a million followers on the video app TikTok, where he mostly posts reviews of Chinese food and restaurants. Describing himself as 'Big John the Chinese food lover', he is also the father of heavyweight boxer Johnny Fisher, who is nicknamed 'The Romford Bull', and has almost 300,000 TikTok followers himself. Big John has also gained a large following on YouTube, where he shares content related to his large appetite and lifestyle. He is further known for leading the "Romford Bull Army" and his "Bosh Army" of fans. Posting on Wednesday to his social media channels, Big John shared that he was enjoying a packet of Glens Of Antrim crisps and a pint of Murphy's stout in the Duke Of York bar at the Cathedral Quarter. 'Whenever I'm in Ireland, whether it be Belfast, Dublin, Galway, my go-to is the Murphy's,' he explained. 'I know everyone has a Guinness and I do like a Guinness, but I think Murphy's is a touch better.' He also described his salt and vinegar flavoured Glens Of Antrim crisps as 'unbelievable; dangerous; near perfection'. Big John and his son are often also seen collaborating with the Northern Irish based prize competition platform, That Prize Guy. According to his online channels, Big John will be staying in Belfast until Friday, and then heading on to Dublin for a night.
