Danny Simpson reveals football rival DM’d him to set up fight… and backs ex-Man Utd team-mate to make boxing switch
DANNY SIMPSON is already being called out to an all-footie fight ahead of his boxing debut.
The 2016 Premier League winner with Leicester faces YouTuber Danny Aarons on Saturday night in Dublin.
Misfits Boxing – headed up by YouTuber KSI and his manager Mams Taylor – welcome stars from the social media, celebrity and sports world to fight in crossover-style bouts.
But Simpson – a former team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo’s at Manchester United – becomes the first footballer to cross over.
And he expects several others to follow his lead having already been challenged behind-the-scenes by Prem rival James McLean.
Simpson told SunSport: “I think if anything you’ve got to be quite brave in in general. But to be the first…
“I hope so, because I said a lot of lads watch love boxing.They go, you always see the footballers at the boxing events ringside and stuff.
“So yeah, I think they’re probably waiting to see what happens first!
“I’ve had James McLean, I mentioned him in an interview and he DM’d me saying when he finishes, he’ll come down, spar and get in the ring.
“So I think a few lads will probably get into it.”
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Simpson – during his time with Newcastle – infamously clashed with then-Sunderland forward McLean.
And he has had his fair share of online feuds too, including one he recently put to bed with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
Simpson said: “Me and James McLean had some beef when we played and he’s DM’d me.
“I think I had beef with Carra in the past but that we sorted that out. Obviously, everyone knows Wazza is a good boxer.
“So, yeah there’s names that are popping up so we’ll we’ll see if you know any of them in the future fancy it.”
Wayne Rooney – nicknamed Wazza – was once knocked out in a drunken kitchen spar by Phil Bardsley.
And Simpson – who came up the United ranks with Bardsley – backed the hardman full-back to have the makings of a boxer.
He said: “I think my mate Phil Bardsley. I was with him last week and he’s grew up boxing and around boxing.
“I’d back him to beat anyone I think on on on these cards. So I’d throw him in the mix and and put pressure on him.”