Misfits Boxing

KSI has claimed Wayne Rooney messaged him in the early hours of the morning to pitch a stadium blockbuster fight. Rooney hit the headlines again recently after it emerged KSI’s Misfits Boxing promotion had reached out to the Manchester United legend.
KSI has claimed Wayne Rooney messaged him to pitch a blockbuster stadium fightCredit: Rex
Rooney was offered a boxing switchCredit: Getty
But according to KSI himself, it was actually Rooney who made the first move over a year earlier.
KSI said on the Sidemen podcast: “Alright, I’ve got it, 5th of December, 2022 at 3.50am.
“(Rooney text), ‘Hi mate, what you think on me and you having a boxing fight. I think we could generate a lot of money. You up for it.’
“No question mark, just full stop. He’s not asking! (The text continues), ‘We could sell out stadium with right support and both make good money.'”
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It is not the first time KSI has claimed Rooney reached out to him personally.
He said in a December 2022 press conference: “It’s funny – I hope he doesn’t get annoyed that I said this – but Wayne Rooney hit me up being like, ‘Oh, we should fight.’
“And I said no. I just don’t want to do that. If Wayne Rooney is down, of course I think it would be good to have him in this space.”
Rooney, infamously knocked out in a boozy kitchen spar-gone-wrong by Phil Bardsley in 2015, is an avid boxing fan.
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And after he was sacked as Birmingham manager in January, Misfits took the opportunity to table a sensational offer for a boxing switch.
Misfits launched in the summer of 2022 as a home to celebrity-style crossover bouts.
Wayne Rooney knocked out by ex-United pal Phil Bardsley in home boxing fight

KSI, 30, has headlined four events but lost his last bout to Tommy Fury, 24, via controversial decision to lose for the first time in seven outings.
Rooney, 38, finally broke his silence on the rumoured boxing offer but insisted he is focused on his managerial career.
He said on The Overlap podcast: “Obviously Misifts have been in, and that’s been all over the news or whatever, but listen, I want to focus on getting back into management. That’s my focus.
“I’ve seen all [the headlines] over the last couple of days, but my main focus is getting back into football.”
Despite Rooney’s revelation, KSI has left the door open to welcoming the ex-England captain to Misfits.
He said: “It would be great to just see him fight someone. And if he annihilates that person, then yeah fine, let’s f***ing go.”
KSI talking about Rooney’s alleged DMCredit: X/happypunch More

WAYNE ROONEY is in talks over a sensational boxing match – and there are plenty of potential opponents for the footie icon’s debut.The Manchester United legend has held preliminary talks with influencer boxing promotion Misfits – which is not governed by the British Boxing Board of Control – about a foray into the squared circle.
Wayne Rooney is assessing his options after being axed by Birmingham CityCredit: GETTY
The Manchester United legend is weighing up stepping into the boxing ringCredit: MARK ROBINSON
Roo has held talks over a potential fight in KSI’s Misfits promotionCredit: PA
An agreement, according to The Mirror, for Roo to take to the ring has yet to be reached – despite talks beginning a few weeks back.
News of Rooney – who was part of an amateur boxing club when he was a kid – potentially fighting under the Misfits banner has stunned footie and boxing fans alike.
And attention has quickly turned to who the former England captain could face in his debut.
So with that in mind, SunSport is on hand with the seven top contenders to throw down with the former Birmingham City boss.
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Jake Paul
A dust-up against YouTuber turned boxer Paul was touted last year by Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn, who revealed Roo often messages him about fighting.
Problem Child Paul would likely entertain the prospect of fighting Rooney due to his huge name and the pay-per-view buys he would generate.
But the fact he would have to do so on bitter rival KSI’s promotion makes the fight somewhat unlikely.
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KSI
Brit social media sensation KSI is the kingpin on Misfits along with pal Mams Taylor and no doubt will have been at the centre of the recent Rooney talks.
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KSI celebrates victory in the cruiserweight bout against FaZe Temperrr at the OVO Arena Wembley, London. Picture date: Saturday January 14, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story BOXING London. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
But the Youtube phenom claimed in December 2022 that the prospect of throwing down with the Premier League icon doesn’t whet his appetite.
He said: “I don’t know, if Wayne Rooney is down of course I think it would be good to have him in the [influencer boxing] space.”

KSI himself could be a possible opponent for Wayne RooneyCredit: GETTY
Wayne Bridge
Former Chelsea and England defender Bridge is no stranger to the boxing world having dipped his toes into it in 2018.
Bridge locked horns with former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, whom he almost knocked out in their Sports Relief clash.
He’s even been dubbed an “animal” by former Fulham midfielder and podcaster Steve Sidwell.
So the former full-back would be a suitable opponent for Rooney should he be keen to lace ’em up again.
Wayne Bridge took part in a charity boxing match in March 2018Credit: BBC
Phil Bardsley
Rooney’s former Manchester United team-mate is perhaps the man footie fans most want to see throw down with the 38-year-old.
Bardsley knocked Rooney OUT COLD during what initially appeared to be a playful kitchen dust-up back in 2015.
Footage of the incident exclusively obtained by The Sun – which Rooney mocked with his famous celebration against Tottenham – went viral.
So it’d only make sense for Roo to want to exact his revenge on his old team-mate inside the ring.
Wayne Rooney was knocked out cold by former team-mate Phil Bardsley in 2015Credit: THE SUN
Jamie Vardy
Leicester City legend Vardy is no stranger to a playful sparring session having had one with team-mate Wilfried Ndidi in 2020.
The former England hitman dropped Ndidi with a swift left uppercut to the body, much to the amusement of his team-mates.
It’s unknown, however, if Vardy fancies his chances in the ring.
Jamie Vardy has tried his hand at sparring beforeCredit: GETTY
Tyson Fury
Competing under the Misfits banner isn’t in the WBC heavyweight champion’s five-fight plan, although he did take part in a shock crossover bout with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou last October.
So, however unlikely the prospect of the pair sharing the ring is, it’s not entirely beyond the realms of possibility – especially considering Fury claimed he’d let Roo prepare him for Oleksandr Usyk.
He said in December 2022: “I spoke to Wayne and he’s well up for it. We’re going to bring Wayne in for preparation for Oleksandr Usyk.
“No [it’s not a joke], very serious. He’s going to come into camp for about four weeks to help me.”
WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury claimed Wayne Rooney would him prepare for his clash with Oklesandr UsykCredit: GETTY
Rio Ferdinand
Roo’s former Manchester United and England team-mate revealed in late 2017 that he wanted to test himself in the ring professionally.
The BBBOC, however, nipped his ambitions in the bud in May 2018 when they informed him that they WOULDN’T review his application to compete as a pro.
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But he could, should he want to, very well lace them up under the Misfits banner as they’re not sanctioned by the BBBOC.
And there would be no bigger opponent – name-wise – available for him to fight other than his good friend Rooney.
Rio Ferdinand had intentions of boxing in 2018 but saw his bid to get in the ring blocked by the BBBOCCredit: OnEdition More