Former Saints footballer set for shock celebrity boxing bout with KSI
SOUTHAMPTON-born former footballer Wayne Bridge is set for a shock boxing bout with internet celebrity KSI, new reports claim.
Bridge, 44, played 172 times for Saints after graduating from the academy to launch a career that saw him win the Premier League and FA Cup.
Bridge, at Saints between 1998 and 2003 before moving to Chelsea, defeated Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews in a charity bout seven years ago.
KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji is a 31 year old YouTuber who has also enjoyed unprecedented commercial success in music and boxing.
Dubbed 'The Nightmare', KSI has fought several celebrity names under his promotion Misfits Boxing including Tommy Fury and Logan Paul.
KSI has not fought in the boxing ring since defeat to Fury, half-brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, in October 2023.
KSI in action against Tommy Fury in October 2023 (Image: PA) The social media star boasts 25 million subscribers on his main YouTube channel alone, on which he began uploading video game content in 2009.
He was previously linked with fighting former Manchester United, Everton and England star Wayne Rooney but a deal never materialised.
However, a new report from the Daily Mail claims KSI's next opponent will stunningly be former Saints and Three Lions defender Bridge.
A Daily Mirror report said the fight is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 29, in Manchester - where Bridge also played football with Man City.
In October 2023, KSI welcomed the prospect of Bridge putting the gloves on when he appeared on Peter Crouch’s podcast.
Crouch said: "You know, if you ever need someone to step in, I know someone in training all the time. So if you need someone last minute, Wayne Bridge."
Co-host Steve Sidwell, the former Reading midfielder, added: "Can anyone beat the Bridge? He’s an animal."
KSI responded: "If he is really about it then it would be great to have him on Misfits for sure."
Bridge featured 316 times in the top flight and earned 36 caps for England, scoring his only goal on the international stage against Iceland in 2004.
