Former footballer Wayne Bridge has made the decision to withdraw from his upcoming fight against KSI following controversial comments made by the YouTuber regarding Bridge’s ex-partner. The match was set to take place on March 29 in Manchester, where the former Chelsea and Manchester City defender was prepared to face off against KSI. However, Bridge has opted to step back after KSI mocked him about the alleged affair between his ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Perroncel, and former teammate John Terry.
During their face-off at Saturday’s Misfits event, KSI taunted Bridge with comments such as, “Aren’t you the guy that let John Terry smash your ex?” Bridge responded by questioning KSI if he wanted to delve into that topic immediately. The influencer proceeded to start a chant of ‘Vanessa woah, Vanessa woah,’ despite Perroncel vehemently denying any involvement with Terry. In a statement released on Monday, Bridge addressed the situation, expressing his disappointment with the remarks made by KSI.
Bridge explained that he accepted the fight as a means to challenge himself and engage in a new experience on a significant platform. However, he felt that the comments crossed a line, particularly as they involved deeply personal matters that impact not only him but also other families connected to the situation. Emphasising his role as a family man, Bridge indicated that his primary concern is safeguarding his family from such insensitive remarks.
The former England international, who has been married to singer Frankie Sandford for 11 years, acknowledged that KSI is admired by many children worldwide, including his own kids. Bridge expressed hope that KSI would reflect on the incident differently in the future. The fighter decided to prioritise his family’s well-being and announced his withdrawal from the scheduled bout on March 29. Despite this setback, Bridge hinted at upcoming challenges in 2025 and conveyed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received during this time.
KSI, who has been absent from the boxing scene since his defeat by Tommy Fury over a year ago, initially mentioned that his intended opponent had pulled out, leading to the selection of Bridge as his new challenger. This announcement was made before the Misfits 20 main event, where Darren Till emerged victorious against Anthony Taylor in the sixth round. The former UFC fighter could potentially be on KSI’s radar for future matchups, with suggestions that a showdown between the two may materialise in March.
In light of the recent developments, Wayne Bridge’s decision to prioritise his family’s well-being over a boxing match against KSI has garnered attention within the sporting community. The controversy surrounding KSI’s comments and the subsequent fallout involving Bridge’s withdrawal have sparked discussions about the line between sportsmanship and personal attacks in the realm of combat sports. As Bridge looks towards future challenges and endeavours in 2025, his courage in taking a stand against inappropriate behaviour serves as a testament to the values he upholds both inside and outside the ring.