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Here are 7 potential opponents for Wayne Rooney fighting in the boxing ring, including Tyson Fury and Jake Paul, as talks about a surprise fight unfold. SunSport selects seven potential opponents to welcome Wayne Rooney to the boxing ring.
Wayne Rooeny is in talks for a sensational boxing match – and there are plenty of potential opponents for the football icon's debut. The Manchester United legend has had preliminary talks with influential boxing promoters Misfits – who are not regulated by the British Boxing Board of Control – about a match in the ring.
According to The Mirror, a deal for Rooney to step into the ring has still not been reached – despite talks starting a few weeks ago. News of Rooney – who was part of an amateur boxing club when he was a child – possibly fighting under the Misfits banner has shocked football and boxing fans.
And attention is quickly turning to who the former England captain will face on his debut.
Therefore, SunSport provides the seven best challengers to face the former Birmingham City boss.
Jake Paul
A fight against boxer-turned-YouTube Paul was touted last year by Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn, who revealed that Roo frequently texts him about the fight. Problem Child Paul would likely be very interested in fighting Rooney because of his big name and the payout he would get. However, the fact that he has to do this under the auspices of promoter KSI makes this fight impossible.
KSI
British social media sensation KSI is the kingpin of the Misfits along with his pal Mams Taylor and will no doubt be at the center of any recent Rooney talk. But the YouTube star claimed in December 2022 that the prospect of playing alongside Premier League icons did not whet his appetite. He said: “I don't know, if Wayne Rooney goes down of course I think it would be great to have him in the (boxing influencer) space.”
Wayne Bridge
Former Chelsea and England defender, Bridge, is no stranger to the world of boxing having tried it out in 2018.
Bridge once fought former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, who he almost beat in a Sports Relief match. He was even dubbed an “animal” by former Fulham midfielder and podcaster Steve Sidwell.
So the former full-back would be a suitable opponent for Rooney if he wants to make a comeback.
Phil Bardsley
Rooney's former Manchester United team-mate is perhaps the player football fans most want to see the 38-year-old face off against. Bardsley brought Rooney down hard in an incident that initially looked like a kitchen game in 2015.
Footage of the incident exclusively obtained by The Sun – which Rooney mocked with his famous celebration against Tottenham – went viral. So it makes sense that Roo would want to avenge his teammates in the ring.