Wayne Rooney told Mike Tyson to stop after Man Utd | Boxing News
Wayne Rooney had to inform Mike Tyson to stop punching him at the desk (Image: BBC SPORT)
Wayne Rooney has revealed that he once told Mike Tyson to stop punching him in the ribs as they dined together in Manchester. The former England striker is a big boxing fan, having educated as a teenager before beginning his profession as a skilled footballer. His father ran a boxing gymnasium in Croxteth, the Liverpool suburb he grew up in while taking part in for Everton’s academy.
Given his boxing background, Rooney was awestruck when he received the chance to dine with Iron Mike a number of years in the past. However, the heavyweight icon was a little too heavy-handed for Rooney’s liking. He recalled an attention-grabbing story during an episode of his BBC podcast, explaining how he intervened to stop Tyson from hitting him at the desk.
“I was lucky enough to meet him,” started Rooney. “I went for food with him in Manchester. I was just in awe of him really. You see him and his presence. You could still see that edge was there.
“As I used to be sat there, he leaned back and he was hitting me in the ribs. In the end, I’m sitting there eating my food and I’m like: ‘Okay mate, okay mate, depart it there now’.
“He was with a girl and I can remember he just leaned over me, got his fork, picked the steak up and put it on this other plate and ate her steak. I was just like: ‘Stay out of it’.”
Joe Egan, who was Tyson’s sparring companion at the peak of his profession, beforehand revealed the pair’s eagerness to meet up back in the mid-2000s.
He told The Sun: “Rooney, in particular, was one of the stars Mike wanted to meet because he had so much admiration for Wayne, so when Mike was over for an after-dinner speech in the UK about more than 15 years ago, in Manchester, I was with him.
“The desk that had been reserved for the staff was given to the Carrington training ground employees because the staff was caught in visitors after an away match. But on another desk there was Wayne’s spouse, Coleen, and her household.
“Mike had prepared a presentation for Wayne, but he presented it to Coleen’s brother – Wayne’s brother-in-law – instead. Mike imparted a bit of advice and gave him some inside knowledge for when you’re a rising superstar.
“Wayne actually appreciated his concern. Mike had a lot of respect and admiration for Wayne because he knew the stress on his younger shoulders at the time.
“Although Wayne and the United team didn’t make it to the event, I introduced him to Mike in a restaurant in Manchester called Lounge Ten later that night.
“This place has a high profile clientele and a pedigree of attracting the area’s celebrities including A-list sports activities stars. A good friend of Wayne’s and Mike’s owned this restaurant who hosted a non-public intimate dinner for Mike.
“Wayne was over the moon to meet Mike and Mike was over the moon to meet Wayne. An ex-boxer himself, Wayne loves and follows the sport of boxing and he’s a very good fighter himself.”
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports activities news and a lot more on our Facebook web page.
Our group members are handled to particular affords, promotions, and adverts from us and our companions. You can take a look at at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Stay up to date with the latest developments in boxing! Our web site is your go-to source for cutting-edge boxing news, combat highlights, fighter stats, and insights into upcoming matches. We present daily updates to guarantee you have got access to the freshest data on rankings, combat outcomes, injury studies, and major bulletins.
Explore how these trends are shaping the future of the game! Visit us often for the most participating and informative boxing content by clicking right here. Our rigorously curated articles will keep you informed on title fights, promotions, training camps, and historic moments in the ring.


