Wayne Rooney has been challenged to a boxing match by former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. Manchester United and England legend Rooney is a big fight fan and has previously expressed a desire to lace up a pair of gloves. Kenny is willing to stand on the opposite side of the ring, with the ex-Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers shot-stopper preparing to step through the ropes for an exhibition bout.
GettyWho will Kenny fight on 'A Night to Remember'?
One-time Leeds United and Republic of Ireland custodian Kenny is due to face Curtis Davies at a charity boxing event. ‘A Night to Remember’ will take place on October 18, with David Bentley, Jody Morris, Leroy Lita and Lee Trundle among the other ex-pros to feature on the card.
It is, however, Rooney that Kenny has in his sights. He wants to square off against United’s all-time leading goalscorer after seeing his performance in the iconic clash between QPR and Manchester City – which saw Sergio Aguero score his legendary Premier League title-winning goal – called into question.
AdvertisementRooney asked questions of Aguero's iconic goal
Rooney has previously said of that contest, which saw the English top-flight crown snatched away from United in the most dramatic of circumstances: "Paddy Kenny should have done better for a couple of the goals. City get the second goal and QPR kick it straight back to them and that's never been questioned – I find that strange. Djibril Cisse celebrating after the game with the City players, but yes, listen, it's a historic moment in the Premier League so I'm sure that, if you are not involved as a Manchester United player, that's probably one of the greatest moments in the league."
Kenny responded to those quotes at the time by posting on social media, alongside an image of Aguero scoring his historic winning goal: "Wasn’t even bothered about diving to be fair." He included a laughing face emoji and a couple of fishing rods – as he waited on another bite from Rooney and Co.
Getty/GOALRooney challenge: Kenny ready for a fight
Kenny has now suggested that his differences with Rooney, which remain light hearted, should be settled with a slug fest that allows both men to release some of the tension that has built up since May 2012. He told "He keeps hammering me about that Aguero goal, so I think me and him need to sort it out in the ring. 13 years on, he’s still saying I let the goals in! It might have looked like I let them in but I didn’t!"
Rooney has previously floated the idea of stepping into the ring with Misfits Boxing, with YouTube personality KSI one of their founders. He told prior to taking the reins at Plymouth Argyle in 2024: "They’ve been in touch and asked the question but I think at the minute I want to focus on getting back into management, not boxing."
That stance could be shifted in 2025, with Kenny saying of his preparations for a scrap with Davies: "For eight weeks now I’ve been training, been boxing for four or five weeks and in that time I’ve lost over two stone, which is a massive thing. That was one of the reasons I wanted to get involved, get myself back into shape. It’s for amazing charities, it’s going to be an amazing event down in London, I’m really looking forward to it."
Rooney on punditry duty after coaching flops
There is a chance that Rooney could be talked into joining a future event. He no longer has coaching commitments to contend with after seeing his spell at Plymouth cut short after just 25 games. He previously lasted only 83 days in charge of Birmingham, having been taken to St Andrew’s by Tom Brady and Co.
Rooney is now back on punditry duty, with a regular role being filled on Match of the Day. He is also preparing to grace a Disney+ documentary series alongside wife Coleen and their children. Preparations for a boxing fight would deliver intriguing content for that production.
