MISFITS BOXING are in talks with FIVE footballers to make a switch to the ring – with Wayne Rooney still expected to be one of them.

YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI and his manager Mams Taylor launched Misfits in 2022 to host celebrity-style crossover bouts.

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KSI is the co-founder of Misfits BoxingCredit: Getty

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Wayne Rooney was in talks with Misfits for a shock boxing switchCredit: Alamy
And they have already welcomed stars from the social media, music and entertainment world.

But perhaps their most ambitious plan was to try to bring Manchester United legend Rooney over for a shock bout.

Talks were developing until the ex-England captain publicly ruled it out – for now – to focus on his managerial career.

But Taylor – a former music mogul and now boxing promoter – is still quietly confident he can convince Rooney into the stunning switch.

He told SunSport: “I think he wanted to explore and see what the football options are and good luck to him.

“He’s at a place – similar to KSI – where he’s got to be driven by passion.

“He seems to have a massive passion for football obviously and he’s got a passion for boxing.

“But he understands the commitment and the time that it would take and the sacrifices to actually box and he would take it seriously from what I gather.

“So it’s not a causal decision but I’m confident we’ll see him in a Misfits ring at some point.”

Rooney, 38, retired from playing football in 2021 and moved into management but he was most recently sacked by Birmingham in January after spells with Derby and DC United in the States.
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Not long after, Misfits reached out to the Old Trafford great in the hope of lining him up with a summer showdown.

Rooney has confirmed the unlikely talks took place but “at the minute” his future remains in football.

But the former Everton forward is not the only one to be secretly contemplating swapping the pitch for punches.

Taylor added ahead of Misfits 13 in Nashville: “We’ve got four or five footballers we’re talking to currently. So let’s see how that materialises.”

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KSI with manager and Misfits co-founder Mams Taylor