In a shocking announcement, Manchester United legend Patrice Evra will fight YouTuber Adam Saleh in his boxing debut.
Thanks to the likes of Jake Paul and KSI, the world of celebrity boxing has exploded in recent times. It seems everybody wants to step through the ropes to test themselves under the bright lights.
Darts icon Gerwyn Price is scheduled to take his bravado from the oche and to the ring when he faces Rhys Evans. While MTV’s ‘The Challenge’ star Fessy Shaffat continues to search for opponents after his explosive first-round KO win. On March 19, the world will witness perhaps the biggest celebrity boxing match of all time.
After a five-year-long grudge, Strongmen rivals Thor Bjornsson and Eddie Hall will finally trade leather in front of an audience of captivated spectators.
It’s mental to think that a group of YouTubers set off a chain reaction which ultimately spiralled into Tyron Woodley lying face down on the canvas with a Disney star standing over him. But that’s where the sport is at.
With the itch to compete affecting celebrities across the globe, the names getting involved are getting bigger and bigger. We’re about to see an absolute megastar lace up the gloves in a staggering turn of events.
Read: Thor Bjornsson vs Eddie Hall: UK start time, how to watch, how much, fight card?
Patrice Evra vs Adam Saleh
On April 30 at the O2 Arena, Evra will take to the ring on the undercard of Martin Ford vs Sajad Gharibi, AKA ‘The Iranian Hulk’. The five-time Premier League winner is renowned for his skill with the ball at his feet. But we’re yet to find out whether the 40-year-old possesses the same talent with his hands.
Granted, he reached the pinnacle of football. However, as Ben Askren found out, being a gifted athlete in one sport doesn’t mean you’re good at everything.
It’s a difficult contest to call. While Paul Gallen has switched from rugby league to boxing and enjoyed tremendous success, cricket legend Andrew Flintoff retired from boxing after scraping a controversial victory against a journeyman.
Since giving up the professional game in 2019, Evra has entertained fans with his punditry performances. However, he’s always intended on fighting at some stage.
In 2019, footage emerged of him smashing the pads. But in comparison to his opponent, he has minimal experience. Saleh is unbeaten in his three-fight campaign, registering two wins and a draw.
Evra can only hope that he can embody Wayne Bridge’s epic performance against ‘Made In Chelsea’ original Spencer Matthews. The former defender dismantled the reality TV star during a charity boxing match for Sport Relief. If Evra can develop a similar snapping jab to the ex-Chelsea man, he might have a shot at the victory.
Patrice Evra speaks out
The Champions League winner took to Instagram Live to ask his fanbase to get behind him ahead of the monumental challenge that lies ahead.
As per The Daily Mail, he said: “So I’m going to need my whole UK family to pull up and show their love, from not just London but all over the UK I need you guys because this is going to be really crazy.”
Who is Adam Saleh?
The 28-year-old American has developed an enormous following throughout his time on YouTube. He started creating content in 2012, and his channel began to boom. Saleh realised his potential, so in a crazy turn of events, he decided to commit himself to the platform full-time. He originally intended on becoming a lawyer, but he missed an exam to perform a dance routine on the Ellen DeGeneres show.
Since then, he’s taken the vlogging game by storm and amassed 4.7 million subscribers. But after discovering his love for boxing, his video making career is on the backburner.
He has one goal in mind, and that’s to defeat Evra. He has all the experience to win the fight comprehensively. But the United icon is a supremely gifted athlete. It’s just down to whether Evra can bridge the gap in time. Either way, we can’t wait to find out.
Featured Image Credit: DAZN