“One thing occurred as I used to be getting my arms wrapped,” begins former Leicester and Newcastle full-back Danny Simpson. “The music was on, and one thing clicked. I had to enter the zone as a result of if I didn’t, the end result wouldn’t have been good.”
Throughout a profession spanning 213 Premier League video games, an additional 125 within the Championship and, most famously, the unattainable 2015-16 title with the Foxes , Simpson was no stranger to performing in entrance of packed homes. This was completely different: Dublin’s 3Arena for a boxing match towards YouTuber Danny Aarons.
“Standing behind the boards ready to return out, I felt one thing I’d by no means felt earlier than,” Simpson tells FourFourTwo . “I knew everybody can be booing me as a result of the opposite Danny was the favorite. In a bizarre method, that helped. I’ve been an underdog my complete life – at Leicester, making an attempt to make it at Manchester United – so it was a sense I relished.”
A Premier League winner’s medal at stake
Danny Drinkwater and Danny Simpson carry the Premier League title in 2016 (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
There was a lot at stake. If he misplaced, Aarons had pledged handy over his a million YouTube subscribers plaque. For Simpson, it was his Premier League winner’s medal. “You’re not going to say no to any guess as a result of then it seems to be such as you’re weak,” says Simpson. “You’ve received to again your self. Shedding by no means entered my mind.” It led to a cut up draw.
Simpson’s battle was organised following a random name from occasion hosts Misfits Boxing, co-founded by influencer KSI. One other competitor had picked up an harm and, “they mentioned you’ve received 5 weeks. Are you able to do it?” Simpson determined he may, switching instantly into boot camp mode. Gruelling coaching classes accompanied a drastic dietary shift.
Simpson’s celeb boxing bout led to a draw (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
“As a footballer I knew what to eat, however this was very completely different,” he says. “I needed to minimize 9kg in 4 weeks – that’s powerful, notably whereas making an attempt to study the talents and practice twice a day. They wished me to lose an additional 2kg, however it may need been harmful with baths and saunas simply earlier than the battle.”
Had he ever taken a punch beforehand? “No, I used to be on a crash course studying the right way to field – I sparred 4 instances and received battered in that if I’m sincere,” laughs Simpson.
“However I wanted it. I sparred with two nice lads, and I’ve received clips of one among them completely leathering me! Anybody can hit pads, however as soon as I had that first spar it received actual. There have been many instances that I believed, ‘I can’t do that’.”
However Simpson did do it. He constructed up a community of mates and now attends their bouts. He desires to battle once more. “It gave me one thing to concentrate on. I wanted a goal – it was the last word check.”
Many retired athletes will relate to these sentiments. Shortly earlier than beginning coaching, he introduced his retirement from soccer on social media. Trolls inevitably leapt on the actual fact his final skilled outing had come for Bristol Metropolis in October 2021.
“I used to be too scared to let it go,” admits Simpson. “I all the time hoped that I’d get a proposal someplace, or somebody would wish somebody skilled to return in and assist. It simply by no means materialised. I by no means received to play my final official recreation, I by no means received to try this final stroll out of the tunnel realizing it was my final recreation. That’s one thing I remorse. However I believed if I’m going to take up one other sport, I’ve received to retire from soccer first.”
