Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney left pals in "so much panic" after infamous knockout
Wayne Rooney is considering a shock career move into the boxing ring - but the Manchester United legend will hope to fare better than on an infamous night back in 2015.
Mirror Football has exclusively revealed that Rooney, 38, is currently in talks to appear in the next Misfits Boxing event and has already been in touch with key figures such as YouTube star KSI, who he could fight. It wouldn't be the first time that we've seen Rooney with the gloves on, as fans are sure to recall the football icon's short-lived bout with his good pal, Phil Bardsley, nine years ago.
Having enjoyed a few drinks at a local pub, Rooney and former Premier League defender Bardsley ended up sparring in the then- England captain's kitchen. Rooney soon ended up hitting the deck and was out cold for a few worrying seconds.
After a video of the incident made the news on the morning of United's March 2015 home game against Tottenham, Rooney performed a hilarious goal celebration, throwing a few jabs and then falling to the floor. The 38-year-old could now be set to lace up the gloves once again, and although it wouldn't be classed as professional boxing, Misfits would give Rooney a huge platform after being sacked by Birmingham City last month following a wretched 15-game spell in charge.
A number of social media stars like KSI - real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji - as well as Logan Paul and brother Jake Paul have spearheaded the Misfits event, while pro fighter Tommy Fury - the half-brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury - got involved last year.
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Rooney is no stranger to the world of boxing and has previously spoken to Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, jokingly asking him to set up a fight. "Boxing is the sport I like watching the most," the Everton academy graduate told Hearn's BBC podcast in 2019. "My dad boxed and my whole family. I have grown up with boxing.
"My uncle is still running the gym in Croxteth, which he has ran for 20 to 30 years. It is just something that is in me as well. Thankfully I wasn't as good at boxing as I was at football, so I think my career went the right way it was meant to!"
Your turn! Should Wayne Rooney compete in Misfits Boxing? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
Wayne Rooney and Phil Bardsley started boxing after a night out in 2015
Rooney suffered a knockoutHis friendly clash with Bardsley fortunately gave Rooney no lasting damage, as the ex- Sunderland and Burnley right-back revealed on the UTD Podcast : "He just walked into a jab. He was only out for a couple of seconds but we were all panicking - what's going on here?
"We didn't know what to do, panic stations and we had no phone signal. We were all thinking, 'If he doesn't open his eyes, we can't phone an ambulance, there's no signal'. So much panic!
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"Anyway, he comes around, goes to the sink. I've got a big cut lip, blood everywhere and he's got some blood under his nose and we're just looking at each other and laughing."
Rooney's time at Birmingham may've received a knockout blow in January, but soon enough he could be landing one on a fellow Misfit.
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