Zlatan Ibrahimovic has held sensational talks over fighting in a competitive boxing bout. The 43-year-old hung up his football boots at the end of the 2022/23 Serie A season, and has since worked in an advisory role at AC Milan.
However, he’s maintained an intense fitness schedule, regularly posting pictures of his work-outs on social media.
And the iconic Swedish striker has never made any secret of his love for combat sports, having previously received an honorary black belt in taekwondo in his hometown of Malmo.
And now Misfits Boxing promoter Mams Taylor has revealed he is actively trying to persuade the ex-Manchester man to appear on one of his shows. “I’ve tried to convince Zlatan and he can fight,” he told the Sun.
“I’m good friends with his manager and we had a FaceTime, the three of us. It was really cool because he’s seen a lot of Misfits fights and he’s followed it. He was a kickboxer, he’d be a good one as well.”
However, he may not be the only Manchester United icon to soon be donning gloves. Taylor was coy about other celebrity targets, but did claim he had also had discussions with current Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney.
“I will say that Zlatan and Wayne Rooney, there’ve been conversations and I think it’s a matter of time,” he added. “At some point it will materialise. There’s other names that aren’t quite as big as these guys.”
Misfits Boxing, the brainchild of social media star KSI, is in its third year of crossover promotions. Another former player at Old Trafford, Danny Simpson, has already competed on a card in a dubious draw with YouTuber Danny Aarons.
Ibrahimovic would undoubtedly prove a huge draw to one of Taylor’s shows, having long played up to his charismatic and arrogant persona. His trophy-laden career included 12 league titles in four different countries.
Striking a deal with Rooney may prove more difficult due to his managerial commitments, but the ex-England captain has never made any secret of his live for boxing. He’s regularly attended high-profile UK events, and in 2015 performed his iconic ‘KO’ celebration after scoring for United against Tottenham.
That was after video footage emerged of Rooney jokingly sparring with his friend and ex-United defender Phil Bardsley. And the club’s record scorer was floored by Bardsley, which led to his act of self-mockery.
