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.
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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.
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.
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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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.
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