Former England footballer Wayne Bridge is set to face YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI in the ring on March 29.
The highly anticipated bout was officially announced during a Misfits boxing event in Manchester on Saturday, though the venue has yet to be disclosed.
Bridge, 44, earned 36 caps for England and had a notable Premier League career, playing for clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City before retiring in 2014.
He previously stepped into the boxing ring for a charity match in 2018, where he faced TV personality Spencer Matthews for Sport Relief.
On the other hand, KSI (Olajide William Olatunji) has gained fame for his forays into the boxing world, most recently facing Tommy Fury in 2023.
KSI lost the bout on points, which was not sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) due to KSI not holding a professional license.
This, along with his history of non-professional bouts, leaves uncertainty about the overseeing body for the upcoming fight against Bridge. Previously, KSI’s match with Fury was managed by the Professional Boxing Association (PBA), though Misfits has since parted ways with them.
Crossover events featuring influencers and celebrities have exploded in popularity in recent years, despite ongoing debates over whether they undermine the credibility of professional boxing.
As the fight between Bridge and KSI approaches, it’s clear that these celebrity boxing matches continue to capture significant attention, blending sports with entertainment.
Whether they elevate or erode the reputation of the sport remains a matter of debate, but one thing is certain, March 29 promises to be an exciting spectacle.
