“I’ve tried to convince Zlatan and he can fight” - Boxing promoter talks up bout between Ibrahimovic and Manchester United icon in future
Misfits Boxing promoter Mams Taylor recently spoke about Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney potentially matching up in the ring. Both players notably enjoyed a short spell together at Old Trafford, playing 25 games together and sharing six goal involvements. The duo also won the Europa League, Carabao Cup, and Community Shield together.
Both players are now retired, with Rooney dabbling in management with Plymouth Argyle, and Ibrahimovic working in an advisory role for AC Milan's management and ownership. However, they could both return to their athletic days if Mams Taylor gets his wish. The boxing promoter told The Sun (via SPORTbible):
"I've tried to convince Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] and he can fight. 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."
"I will say that Zlatan and Wayne Rooney, there have been conversations and I think it's a matter of time. At some point it will materialize. There's other names that aren't quite as big as these guys."
It would certainly be a fascinating watch for fans of the former Manchester United teammates. They are both reported to be highly interested in boxing, and their match up will certainly turn quite a few heads if Mams Taylor can successfully convince them.
When Manchester United players spoke about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's impact at the club
In 2023, Manchester United players spoke about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's impact at the club after he decided to call it a day. The legendary Swedish striker hung up his boots after a long, illustrious career as a journeyman across nine clubs in seven countries.
He spent only two years at Old Trafford, scoring 29 goals and providing 10 assists in 53 games, between 2016 and 2018. United left-back Luke Shaw said about the forward (via the club's website):
"You could see why he’s won so much. He was a born winner. Whether it was on the pitch in games or training, every single game we played he would always want to win."
Marcus Rashford added:
"His mentality was beyond anything I’d ever played with before. He didn’t care what anyone would say or what anyone was saying about him. In terms of mentality, he was key to my development."
Manchester United have struggled to find European success since Ibrahimovic left the club, losing the 2021 Europa League final to Villarreal on penalties. They have since won the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.