Tyson Fury jokingly made offer to Wayne Rooney before Oleksandr Usyk fight
The former two-time boxing world champion will link up with Rooney on Sunday as the pair are set to co-manage England against the World XI at Soccer Aid 2025
Tyson Fury once jokingly asked former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney to spar with him prior to facing Oleksandr Usyk.
The 36-year-old is no stranger when it comes inviting various big names to come and spar with him in his gym in Morecambe. However, even Rooney himself may have been a little shocked by the invitation. Fury's comments came after the ex-England striker praised the boxer after his win over Derek Chisora back in December 2022.
"I think he's the best we've seen in a long time, and I don't think anyone will beat him,' Rooney told talkSPORT after the fight. 'I think he's an absolute legend for what he's done for boxing. He's entertaining, his skills are incredible, his mentality is incredible. If I'm being honest, I probably think he should be knighted because he hasn't been afraid to go abroad, he's won titles abroad, defended them abroad and he epitomises everything that boxing is.'
Unsurprisingly, Rooney's comments quickly made their way to Fury - who was blown away by the support. So much so that he even invited the forward to train with him after jokingly admitting that he needed someone "smaller" to help prepare for the Ukrainian.
' Wayne Rooney is a proper legend, and I grew up watching him as a youngster for England and [Manchester] United. So, that's [an] amazing, amazing speech from him,' Fury told talkSPORT. 'He's a massive boxing fan, he comes from a boxing family as well. So, hopefully, we can have a little spar in the future sometime. I do need someone smaller to prepare for Usyk. Wayne, if you're listening, get on the blower, son!"
He added: 'As daft and bizarre as this might sound to people, I'm really happy with who I am,' he added. 'I'm the people's champion. I don't really need some accolade, award, or promotion to let me know who I am, what I do, or who I am inside. I know that I don't really need a claim to say, 'Oh, he's a Sir or he's a whatever.'
Fury had to wait nearly two years after the Chisora fight to get his Usyk wish. In 2023, the 'Gypsy King' famously went head-to-head with former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou. Despite being dropped by the 'Predator,' Fury would go on to score a tight victory on points.
The Brit first fought the Ukrainian last May. Despite having success towards the midway point, Usyk turned the tide in the second half of the contest and would go on to get the job done via split decision. The pair fought for a second time back in December - with Usyk picking up his second win against the Morecambe brawler - this time winning by unanimous decision. Just a few weeks on from the sequel, the 'Gypsy King' shocked the boxing world after announcing his retirement from the sport of boxing.
On Sunday, both Fury and Rooney will team up as the pair will co-manage England at this year's Soccer Aid. Following the news that Fury would be involved in the match, he said: 'ENGLAND MANAGER! Who would ever have thought it!? I have had some big fights in my career and the prospect of leading my England team to victory this June fills me with just as much excitement as any heavyweight fight.
"Everyone knows that I am a huge Manchester United fan too, so it's even more special for me that the game is at Old Trafford this year – and I get to manage one of my heroes, Wayne Rooney! How can we lose!? The work UNICEF does all around the world is so special and so important. I really hope that you can come along and support us this summer.'
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