Footballers Turned Fighters: Wayne Rooney Considers Shock Career Change

Rooney in Talks with Misfits Boxing

Wayne Rooney, former England and Manchester United star, is reportedly considering a career change that would see him swap football for boxing. The 38-year-old has held talks with the promoter of KSI's influencer boxing series, Kalle Sauerland, about starring in Misfits Boxing, according to the Mirror.

Other Footballers Who Stepped into the Ring

Rooney wouldn't be the first footballer to try his hand at boxing. Here are five other players who made the switch:

Rio Ferdinand

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand attempted a boxing career in 2017. However, his application for a boxing license was denied by the British Boxing Board of Control, and he ultimately decided to hang up his gloves.

Katie Taylor

Katie Taylor, one of the world's top female boxers, is also a former Republic of Ireland international footballer. She chose to focus on boxing a decade ago and has since become a dominant force in the sport.

Wayne Bridge

Wayne Bridge, former Chelsea and England left-back, took part in a charity boxing match against reality TV star Spencer Matthews in 2019. Bridge emerged victorious in the three-round affair.

Leon McKenzie

Leon McKenzie, a former forward for Norwich, Peterborough, and Coventry, transitioned to boxing after retiring from football in 2013. He had an 11-fight career, including a shot at the English title.

Curtis Woodhouse

Curtis Woodhouse, who played for Birmingham and Sheffield United, made a successful transition to boxing after quitting football at the age of 26. He had 31 fights, winning 24 and challenging for the WBO Intercontinental welterweight belt.

Rooney's Boxing Future

It remains to be seen whether Wayne Rooney will follow in the footsteps of these footballers turned fighters. With his love for boxing and talks with Misfits Boxing, a new chapter in Rooney's career could be on the horizon.