Wayne Bridge Pulls Out of KSI Match After Offensive Remarks

Wayne Bridge, the former England footballer has pulled out of his planned fight with YouTuber KSI set for 29 March. This decision follows KSI’s personal remarks about Bridge’s ex-girlfriend’s alleged affair with former teammate John Terry. Bridge, 44, explained his decision on Instagram, stating that KSI’s comments were “deeply personal” and impacted his family. He emphasized that his family comes first and that KSI crossed a line with his remarks.

The controversy stems from the 2010 affair allegations which led to Terry losing the England captaincy and Bridge stepping down from the squad. Bridge’s relationship with model Vanessa Perroncel ended due to the scandal and they share a son. Now married with two children, Bridge found KSI’s remarks hurtful especially given that KSI serves as a role model to children including Bridge’s own.

He expressed hope that KSI would one day regret his words and made it clear that he no longer wished to engage in such exchanges. Wayne Bridge, who earned 36 caps for England and played for top clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City, retired from football in 2014. He previously participated in a charity boxing match against Spencer Matthews in 2018. KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji has fought in several boxing bouts.

One of these matches was against Tommy Fury in 2023, although the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) did not license it. The trend of influencer and celebrity boxing matches has gained significant attention in recent years, sparking debates over the sport’s credibility. Despite the controversies, these events continue to attract large audiences with high-profile figures like Jake Paul engaging in crossover bouts.