KSI held talks with former footballer-turned-boxer Leon McKenzie over replacing Wayne Bridge.
‘The Nightmare’ is searching for a replacement opponent for his Misfits Boxing comeback with ex-Chelsea and England international Wayne Bridge withdrawing from their planned March 29 clash.
Bridge faced off with KSI, but decided to pull out after being aggrieved with comments made by his rival regarding his Chelsea teammate John Terry‘s high-profile affair with his ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel.
After the 44-year-old released a statement confirming he would no longer participate, McKenzie threw his hat into the ring in a social media call-out.
McKenzie had a stellar football career scoring in all four major English leagues including the Premier League before retiring in 2013.
He then retired and picked up a pair of boxing gloves, taking to a four-year career, before he was beaten in an English title clash in 2016.
The 46-year-old hasn’t fought since then but has revealed he has held talks with KSI over a Misfits clash.
But the nephew of former world champion Leon McKenzie revealed to talkSPORT that they have now officially concluded with the bout not coming to fruition.
He said on Hawksbee & Jacobs: “I saw a tweet from KSI and just said to get at me.
“A few days went past, but we had some direct contact. But they have come back and said they have other plans.
“I totally understand their plans as well. Listen, everything has to fall into what it falls into.
“KSI’s team, they are businessmen and all about the numbers and making money, while doing the best for their cash cow.
McKenzie fought for four years from 2013-2017 but will not fight KSI nextGetty“You have to respect that to a certain degree, but it is probably best not to entertain it.
“But I couldn’t help it to be honest, but it won’t be happening now.”
McKenzie did seem an unlikely opponent given his fairly vast experience in the squared circle, in comparison to YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI.
And it now appears off the table as KSI is set to pursue alternative means.
It is understood to be part of a three-fight plan for the British star, who hasn’t fought since narrowly losing to Tommy Fury in October 2023.
Three-weight king and Leon’s uncle Duke insisted that KSI would not want any part of a fight with his nephew.
KSI will hope to still end his period of absence from the ring in MarchGettyHe told talkSPORT.com before talks collapsed: “You know what KSI doesn’t want any part of Leon.
“Leon has been a better footballer than he is a boxer. But he was born into boxing.
“But Leon is not like a YouTube boxer, he could get seriously hurt by Leon.
“The decisions are very dubious and obvious to me in influencer boxing. But if KSI accepts it, he runs the risk of getting hurt.
“Leon is a serious boxer and it would be completely different. Professional boxing and influencer boxing shouldn’t intertwine.
“Leon knows what he is doing, he can obviously smell a pound note.”
Follow talkBOXING on social media
talkBOXING is now on Twitter and Facebook.
Follow us on social media for big breaking boxing news, exclusive interviews and the best bits from our talkBOXING YouTube show.
Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE Sign up for our WhatsApp channel HERE Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( KSI came close to finding Wayne Bridge replacement in ex-world champion’s nephew but talks collapsed )
Also on site :
- Hoffenheim vs. Borussia Dortmund - prediction, free online broadcast , lineups
- Southampton vs Fulham - predictions , match live stream and Expected lineups
- Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa prediction and free live stream of FA Cup clash