The sporting icons are expected to link up on Sunday – with the pair co-managing England at this year’s Soccer Aid match against the World XI
Tyson Fury rejected the idea he should be knighted when Soccer Aid co-manager Wayne Rooney called for him to be honoured.
Rooney’s comments came back in 2022 after Fury defended his WBC heavyweight title with a dominant display against Derek Chisora. The ‘Gypsy King’ battered his rival for ten rounds before the fight was eventually waved off by referee Victor Loughlin. In attendance on fight night was the former Manchester United and Everton striker.
He believed it was time the heavyweight boxer was knighted for his services to boxing. “I think he’s the best we’ve seen in a long time, and I don’t think anyone will beat him,” Rooney told talkSPORT after the fight. “I think he’s an absolute legend for what he’s done for boxing. He’s entertaining, his skills are incredible, his mentality is incredible.
“If I’m being honest, I probably think he should be knighted because he hasn’t been afraid to go abroad, he’s won titles abroad, defended them abroad and he epitomises everything that boxing is.” Not long after, Rooney’s comments quickly made their way to Fury – who was full of praise for the ex-England international.
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“Wayne Rooney is a proper legend, and I grew up watching him as a youngster for England and [Manchester] United. So, that’s [an] amazing, amazing speech from him,” Fury told talkSPORT. The Morecambe brawler then jokingly claimed that Rooney should come into his training camp and help him prepare to fight Oleksandr Usyk. “He’s a massive boxing fan, he comes from a boxing family as well. So, hopefully, we can have a little spar in the future sometime. I do need someone smaller to prepare for Usyk. Wayne, if you’re listening, get on the blower, son!”
Despite appreciating Rooney’s touching words, Fury explained why he’s not really interested in receiving a knighthood or any other type of honour from the Royal Family. “As daft and bizarre as this might sound to people, I’m really happy with who I am,” he added. “I’m the people’s champion. I don’t really need some accolade, award, or promotion to let me know who I am, what I do, or who I am inside. I know that I don’t really need a claim to say, ‘Oh, he’s a Sir or he’s a whatever.’”
Three years on and the pair will co-manage England at this weekend’s Soccer Aid. The charity match – which will take place at Old Trafford – will be played on Sunday as England look to defend their title against the World XI. Following the news that Fury would be involved in the match, he said: “ENGLAND MANAGER! Who would ever have thought it!? I have had some big fights in my career and the prospect of leading my England team to victory this June fills me with just as much excitement as any heavyweight fight.
“Everyone knows that I am a huge Manchester United fan too, so it’s even more special for me that the game is at Old Trafford this year – and I get to manage one of my heroes, Wayne Rooney! How can we lose!? The work UNICEF does all around the world is so special and so important. I really hope that you can come along and support us this summer.”