Unlikely opponents: KSI insists Wayne Rooney challenged him to a boxing match
(Picture: Getty Images)KSI has revealed an unlikely fight challenge from Wayne Rooney as he builds up to his next bout against Dillon Danis.
The YouTube superstar and musician addressed the media on Thursday ahead of his January 14 clash with American Bellator mixed martial artist Danis at Wembley Arena in London.
KSI ended up conducting the press conference and bizarre subsequent face-off alone, with his opponent failing to show up.
Fielding questions from reporters, the Arsenal fan made the surprising revelation that he had been sent a proposition to fight by none other than England and Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer Rooney, who currently manages in the United States with Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit DC United.
KSI insists he promptly turned down the offer before revealing another ex-England footballer apparently interested in joining the fast-growing YouTube boxing scene.
“I hope he doesn’t get annoyed that I said this, but Wayne Rooney hit me up being like ‘oh, we should fight’, and I said no. I just don’t want to do that,” he said.
“If Wayne Rooney is down of course I think it would be good to have him in the space. I know Wayne Bridge is another person that’s been interested in the space.”
KSI is stepping back into the ring in the New Year for his fourth professional fight and sixth overall, having knocked out both rapper Swarmz and Mexican boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda on the same night at the O2 Arena back in August.
He previously fought to a decision win over fellow internet celebrity Logan Paul in Los Angeles in 2019, after an amateur draw with Paul and win over Joe Weller.
The end game for KSI, provided he beats Danis in a high-profile crossover contest, is a grudge match with Logan’s younger brother Jake Paul, who has made quite the name for himself in boxing over recent years.
The two men continue to exchange barbs ahead of a massive showdown, with Paul now 6-0 as a pro after outpointing UFC icon Anderson Silva in his last contest in Arizona in October.
He has also beaten the likes of ex-UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (twice) as well as another MMA veteran in Ben Askren, basketball player Nate Robinson and fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib.
“That has always been the goal, Jake Paul,” KSI said on Thursday. “That’s the reason why I’ve come back into boxing, to show everyone that Jake Paul is nothing.
“It could be Wembley Stadium, it could be any stadium in the UK. It’s going to happen. We’re negotiating at the moment and we’re working on making sure it’s one of the biggest fights of all time.”
