Wayne Bridge pulls out of KSI boxing match as personal comments ‘affect families’ and ‘cross a line’
Share:
The former Chelsea and England defender took offence at jibes about his history with ex-teammate John Terry. Former Chelsea and England footballer Wayne Bridge has withdrawn from his boxing match with KSI, accusing the YouTuber of ‘crossing a line’.
![[KSI slung insults at Wayne Bridge after their fight was announced]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/21/09/newFile.jpg)
It was announced last week that 31-year-old KSI, who runs and competes in Misfits Boxing, would fight Bridge, 44, in March. But the bout did not survive for long, with Bridge cancelling the contest after a face-off with KSI on Saturday (18 January). As the retired footballer faced off with the social-media star, KSI (real name Olajide Olatunji) made several insulting references to Bridge’s history with former teammate John Terry. After Bridge split from Vanessa Perroncel, the mother of his first child, in 2009, Terry allegedly had a relationship with Perroncel.
![[Bridge and KSI got physical before being separated by security]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/21/09/newFile-2.jpg)
“You want to go there straight away, do you?” Bridge asked, after KSI brought up the episode. “You wanted it, mate. You can get it. 29 [March], you'll find out. When the cameras are on, you are all mouth.”. A brawl ensued as KSI pushed Bridge, who on Monday (20 January) announced his withdrawal from the fight.
“I’m sure a lot of you have seen what happened on Saturday night at the Misfits Boxing event,” he wrote in a statement. “Firstly, I think it’s important that I explain my reason for accepting the fight. “I always like to challenge myself. This felt like a good opportunity to go up against an interesting opponent on a big stage. I have always loved boxing as part of my everyday training routine. I was fully prepared to train hard and have some fun.
