‘Wayne Can Fight!’ – Man Utd & England Legend Rooney Punched Boxing Icon Joe Calzaghe After ‘Offering Out’ the Welsh Hero at a Wedding

When Football Met Boxing: Rooney’s Unbelievable Wedding Bout

Wayne Rooney has always been known for his aggression on the pitch — bulldozing defenders, smashing volleys into the top corner, and captaining both Manchester United and England with unfiltered passion. But what many forget is that Rooney’s ferocity wasn’t confined to football. He’s a lifelong boxing fanatic — and, as it turns out, sometimes he took that love of fighting a little too literally.

In one of the most bizarre yet brilliantly “Rooney” stories you’ll ever hear, the former striker once punched Welsh boxing legend Joe Calzaghe in the ribs during his agent’s wedding. Yes, really.

The tale came to light during an episode of The Wayne Rooney Show on the BBC, where the ex-footballer was joined by his long-time agent Paul Stretford and former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew. The trio were chatting about Rooney’s passion for boxing when Stretford recalled the unforgettable moment his client decided to challenge a man who retired undefeated with 46 wins from 46 fights.

According to Stretford, the incident unfolded in classic Rooney fashion — a few drinks deep, a touch of bravado, and that mischievous competitive spark that’s made him both a legend and a headline magnet for two decades.

“I was looking after Joe at the time,” Stretford said. “Joe came to the wedding, Wayne’s there of course. We’ve had a few drinks and Wayne offers Joe Calzaghe out. I’m standing there talking to them both and he goes, ‘Alright Joe.’ Joe says, ‘Alright Wayne?’ and Wayne goes, ‘I could have you.’”

At first, Stretford thought it was banter. But Rooney, being Rooney, wanted to take things a step further.

“He said, ‘No, calm down. I just want to do a bit of shadow boxing with him,’” Stretford continued. “So we go outside on the green — the middle of my wedding — and Joe’s going, ‘Don’t worry, it’s nothing.’ First thing, Joe’s just sort of standing there and [Wayne’s gone] right into the ribs.”

Rooney’s Punch – The Stuff of Legend

Even Calzaghe, a man who’s been hit by some of the hardest punchers in the sport, seemed a little taken aback by the unexpected jab. Fortunately, no real harm was done — and what could’ve been an awkward scene quickly became a running joke among everyone there.

Rooney, laughing as he remembered the moment, admitted:

“I seen him, he was a bit vulnerable, he’d had a few drinks. Might give him his first defeat.”

It’s that cheeky, fearless streak that has always defined Rooney. Whether on the pitch or off it, he’s never been one to shy away from a challenge — even if that challenge happens to be one of the greatest boxers Britain has ever produced.

Tony Bellew, who was in hysterics listening to the story, added his own fighter’s perspective:

“As a fighter, we never react to stuff like that. But he’s only just challenged the greatest fighter Britain’s ever produced. Fantastic.”

You can almost picture the scene: tuxedos, champagne flutes, wedding music in the background — and Rooney squaring up to a world champion on the lawn, trying to prove he could “have him.” It’s football’s answer to a Guy Ritchie movie.

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Rooney’s Lifelong Love of the Sweet Science

The truth is, Wayne Rooney’s affection for boxing runs deep. Growing up in Croxteth, Liverpool, he spent as much time watching fights as he did football. That fighting spirit was ingrained in him long before he burst onto the Premier League stage as a 16-year-old prodigy.

Bellew, who like Rooney hails from Liverpool and is a die-hard Evertonian, believes that in another life, Rooney could have made it as a professional fighter.

“He could have been a boxer,” Bellew claimed. “He’s got the heart, he’s got the build, and he’s got the mindset. If he’d picked up gloves instead of boots, he might’ve been a champion.”

Rooney’s passion for the sport is well-documented. Back in 2015, while at Manchester United, he famously sparred with his mate Phil Bardsley — another ex-United player — in his kitchen. Bardsley supposedly caught him with a clean shot that floored him. A few days later, Rooney scored against Tottenham at Old Trafford and celebrated by pretending to knock himself out. It was a moment of pure theatre, equal parts self-deprecating and defiant — vintage Rooney.

Later, during his MLS stint with Chicago Fire, Rooney’s love for boxing led him into talks with promoter Eddie Hearn about staging a charity fight. Hearn told TalkSport:

“He loves it. He’s been training at amateur clubs. Wayne would love to do a charity fight. All these guys — they love boxing.”

It’s not hard to imagine him stepping into the ring for a one-off event — gloves laced, headgear on, crowd roaring. For Rooney, that would’ve been just another adrenaline rush, another arena in which to prove himself.

From Knockouts to Kickoffs: The Football Side of the Story

Fast forward to today, and Rooney has traded the pitch (and any hopes of a charity bout) for the pundit’s chair. After mixed managerial spells with Derby County, Birmingham City, and Plymouth Argyle, he’s now carving out a reputation as one of the more honest and self-reflective voices in football media.

His time in the dugout wasn’t kind. Both Birmingham and Plymouth suffered relegation under his watch — brutal reminders that coaching, like boxing, can be unforgiving. Yet Rooney’s grit remains intact. He’s the kind of man who doesn’t stay down for long.

Interestingly, his former clubs are now heading in opposite directions.

• Birmingham City, backed by a new American ownership group led by NFL icon Tom Brady, have bounced back to the Championship and are eyeing a Premier League return. They sit just four points off the play-off places, fuelled by ambitious spending and a newfound sense of professionalism.

• Plymouth Argyle, meanwhile, are struggling in League One, languishing in the relegation zone after a 2–0 defeat to rivals Exeter City. Their fall from the Championship has been swift and sobering — a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in English football.

And as for the clubs that defined Rooney’s career — Everton and Manchester United — both are trying to rediscover their identities. Everton remain scrapping for stability, while United, under new part-owners INEOS, are still searching for the swagger that defined the Ferguson years.

This weekend, both sides face tough tests: Everton against Tottenham Hotspur, United away to Brighton. It’s a curious symmetry — Rooney’s old clubs, both mid-table, both desperate for momentum.

Everton v Crystal Palace – Premier League

The Fighter Within

What makes the Calzaghe story so endearing isn’t the punch itself — it’s what it says about Rooney’s personality. The lad from Croxteth has always had a fighter’s heart. Whether taking on defenders, pundits, or — apparently — world champions, he’s never lacked bottle.

Even now, as he transitions into life beyond football, that same restless energy drives him. He’s not afraid to admit his flaws, his failures, or his fascination with combat. It’s what makes him, in many ways, the last of a certain breed of English footballer: raw, unpolished, emotional, but utterly authentic.

So when you hear that Wayne Rooney once squared up to Joe Calzaghe at a wedding, don’t be shocked — smile. Because really, it’s the most Wayne Rooney story imaginable.

He’s a man who’s spent his entire life fighting — for goals, for glory, for redemption. And on that night, under the fairy lights and champagne bubbles, he just happened to take that fight a little too literally.