Former England rugby player Joe Marler has been met with an unexpected challenge from ex-Wales prop Samson Lee. Lee has proposed a charity boxing match between the two former players, years after a controversial incident that led to Marler’s suspension. The incident occurred during the 2016 Six Nations match between England and Wales at Twickenham when Marler was heard on the referee’s microphone calling Lee, who comes from a family of travellers, a ‘gypsy boy’. This led to Marler being suspended for two matches and fined £20,000 for the incident. Despite the controversy, Marler claimed that the incident played a role in his decision to retire from international rugby two years later at the age of 28. Now, both players are retired from professional rugby, with Lee retiring at the end of 2023 due to an Achilles injury, and Marler retiring in November of the previous year.
During an appearance on the Socially Distant Sports Bar podcast, Marler shared that he had recorded a video tribute for Lee after his retirement announcement. To his surprise, Lee contacted him and proposed a charity boxing match for his testimonial. Marler, known for his physicality on the rugby field, was taken aback by the offer and did not immediately respond. However, Lee remained enthusiastic about the idea and expressed a desire to make the fight happen. Marler, reflecting on the proposal, admitted his reservations about the potential match, stating that he didn’t see how he could come out as a winner. Despite not initially responding to Lee’s offer, Marler hinted that he expects the challenge to resurface now that he is fully retired from professional rugby.
As Marler contemplates the possibility of stepping into the boxing ring with Lee, the former England international acknowledged the unique nature of the challenge. While Marler admitted to hesitations about the match, including concerns about how he could come out on top, he did not rule out the possibility completely. Lee, on the other hand, appears determined to see the charity boxing fight become a reality, indicating his eagerness to make it happen. With both players now retired from their rugby careers, the prospect of a showdown in the boxing ring adds an intriguing chapter to their sporting rivalry. As the proposal for the charity boxing match lingers between Marler and Lee, rugby fans eagerly await further developments in what could be a significant event for both players outside of the rugby field.