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Wayne Rooney mentions Jake Paul and KSI when asked about potential boxing debut

Originally posted on HITC | By Mark Marston | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 10:13 AM ET

Wayne Rooney has always had a passion for boxing, even while playing football.

Former Cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew believes that Rooney could have made it as a professional boxer if he had chosen to go down that path.

His uncle Richie started Croxteth ABC Boxing Club and was recognised earlier this year with the Community Hero Award. The honour was presented by Ricky Hatton and Natasha Jonas, who both praised his commitment to the sport.

It is clear boxing is more than just a side interest for him, so when asked about the possibility of joining Misfits, which puts on major fights between influencers and former athletes, it was not out of left field.

Wayne Rooney does not rule out fighting on Misfits

Rooney did not dismiss the possibility of featuring on Misfits when questioned about it. This has led fans to speculate about a potential boxing ring debut for him.

“Have you ever been tempted? Cause you get linked with like Misfits and stuff like that quite a lot, don’t you?” he was asked on the Wayne Rooney show.

The British legend then answered: “No, you get asked to go and do misfits and all that and… I think some of the… like you look at Jake Paul now, and he’s a good boxer. He’s very good.

“KSI too as well and whatever, but no, it’s a bit of fun and mess around, yeah.”

Wayne Rooney was in discussions with Eddie Hearn about fighting Jake Paul

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Eddie Hearn told Rio Ferdinand, on the former centre-back’s YouTube channel, that he had actually spoken to Rooney a couple of times about the possibility of fighting Jake Paul at Old Trafford.

Hearn revealed: “I’ve actually spoke to Wayne a few times about the Jake Paul fight.

“Normally, if he has a couple of glasses of red (wine) he’ll fire in a message to me at night going, ‘Listen, I wanna fight that geezer.’”

KSI had also expressed interest last year in bringing Rooney into his boxing promotion. He said: “Yes, he does (have an interest in boxing), but I think he’s probably going to have to lose a bit of weight before he gets into the ring.

“But if he’s actually serious about wanting to fight, then Misfits have their arms wide open.”

There are certainly options for Rooney now after departing Plymouth Argyle last December.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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