Former Everton star Wayne Rooney is widely regarded as one of the best footballers this country has ever produced, but he also has a boxing background.
In another life, Wayne Rooney could’ve ended up becoming a boxer, as he grew up learning the sport at an amateur gym in Liverpool.
Tony Bellew said Rooney had the ability to box professionally, but he decided to go down a different path in football.
That’s not stopped him from following the sport closely and flirting with the idea of having a boxing fight post his playing career.
Rooney was actually in talks to box Jake Paul at one point, and a hilarious story recently emerged about him offering an undefeated world champion out for a fight at a wedding.
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Wayne Rooney offered Joe Calzaghe a fight
Speaking on Wayne Rooney’s YouTube channel, football agent Paul Stretford told the hilarious story of when the former Everton star offered one of the best boxers of all time, Joe Calzaghe, for a fight at a wedding.
Stretford: “Joe (Calzaghe) came to the wedding, Wayne’s (Rooney) there of course, we’ve had a few drinks. (Wayne says) ‘Alright Joe, I could have you.
“We go on to the green outside, middle of my wedding, so we go out. Joe’s just sort of stood there… (Wayne punches) to the ribs!
Rooney jokes: “I saw him, he was a bit vulnerable, he’d had a few drinks. I might give him his first defeat!
Stretford added: “I’m thinking Joe’s going to react!”
Tony Bellew said: “As a fighter they never react to stuff like that, but he’s only just challenged the greatest fighter Britain has ever produced.
Stretford: “But that’s Wayne ay?”
Bellew: “It is, he’s lively and yeah he’s even more lively when he’s had a pint.”
Tony Bellew says Wayne Rooney can actually fight
Bellew explained that Rooney is actually a very good boxer, having been coached by his uncle Richie, who runs a boxing gym in Liverpool.
“Wayne can fight, yes,” Bellew admitted.
“I wish, no I don’t wish actually, no I don’t have to, I don’t have a way to say. He does have ability, he’s a sportsman, he’s a professional athlete, but he’s talented across different sports.
“He could have definitely fought 100%. And then you’ve got to look at, you know, his uncle Richie, who’s a mate of mine, I’ve known him for a long, long time, Richie Rooney, who’s, you know, ran Crocs with ABC from the get-go, is a brilliant coach.
“He spent time in there, you know, his nephew now boxes, who plays for Everton as well, and little Shea.
“There’s that many of them. And they’re all fantastic sportsmen. It’s just the way they’re named, Rooney, just, it could take to anything.”
Rooney has previously insisted that he’s focused on his managerial career, but having been out of work since leaving Plymouth almost a year ago, perhaps we could see the former Toffees star in the ring at some stage.
YouTube sensation KSI has been mooted as a potential opponent.
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