Former Premier League winner set to make his boxing debut (2024)

Misfits Boxing have announced their line-up for their upcoming fight night at the 3Arena in Dublin on August 31.

The organisation, which was founded by YouTube and boxing sensation KSI has grown massively since it was founded two years ago.

To celebrate the company's second anniversary, several fights have been announced, with KSI due to make his ring return after he was beaten by Tommy Fury back in October 2023 against Slim and Anthony Taylor in a two vs one showdown.

Elsewhere on the undercard, Deen The Great will go up against Dubliner Fogarty, while Danny Aarons and social media sensation Beavo will also face off in the ring.

There is one surprise on the undercard too, with two-time Premier League winner Danny Simpson, 37, being announced as one of the fighters.

Simpson, who announced his retirement just over a week ago, enjoyed a 19-year-long career at the top level, beginning his career with Manchester United's youth academy.

He would enjoy loan spells at Sunderland, Ipswitch, Blackburn and Newcastle, before moving to St James' Park on a permanent transfer in 2010 - leaving Old Trafford having only made eight appearances for the club.

After a stint with QPR, Simpson would go on to join Leicester in 2014, helping the Foxes go on to win the Premier League during their fairytale 2015-16 campaign.

But it appears the 2008 Champions League winner is set to swap his football boots for a pair of boxing gloves, with the 37-year-old set to take on Danny Aarons - a YouTuber.

'Fighting a Premier League winner wasn't on my 2024 bingo card, but here we are,' Aarons wrote on Instagram, after the announcement.

In the latter part of his professional career, Simpson would go on to play for Huddersfield and Bristol City before retiring after a spell with Macclesfield.

Simpson took to Instagram to announce his retirement on July 27, thanking those who had supported him throughout his career.

In a statement, he wrote: 'It's the day that every footballer knows will come around eventually and the one nobody wants to happen but it's time to announce my retirement from the game we all love so much.

'Whilst it is a day I never wanted to come and it's been a while since I played I know it is time to hang up my boots and concentrate on other projects.'

He added: 'I have so much to be grateful for. Football has given me so much and I need to say thank you to so many people. My Friends, my team-mates and my family who all had to put up with me lol. Thank you.'

More recently, Simpson has opened up on his career at the top level and revealed how Cristiano Ronaldo once intervened to help him go on a date with Miss California during a pre-season tour of America with Leicester.

The ex-footballer recalled on the UndrTheCosh podcast how he had gone for dinner with Miss California, but the date hadn't gone well.

'It was painful right, but anyway, it wasn't going great and I got a little tap on my shoulder,' he told the podcast. 'I've looked up and it's only (Cristiano) Ronaldo. He's gone 'Simmo' and I've gone 'Ronny!'

'I've got up and given him a little hug and that. Anyway, we had a little chat because we're obviously in pre-season and he's won the Euros (with Portugal) so he's on an extended break, added Simpson.

'I've sat back down and she's gone "how do you know Ronaldo?"

'I've played it down and said 'I used to play with him' like it was nothing. From that second she completely changed.'