Wayne Bridge refuses to box with KSI after his comments about Premier League cheating scandal

Wayne Bridge has decided to withdraw from his upcoming boxing match with YouTuber KSI after the influencer made controversial remarks during a face-off at Misfits Boxing 20 on Saturday night.

The comments, which referenced Bridge's ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel and a past affair with former teammate John Terry, reignited a long-standing public scandal that originally rocked the football world in 2009. The affair between Terry and Perroncel led to the breakdown of Terry's friendship with Bridge, creating ongoing tension between the two players.

During the confrontation, KSI mocked Bridge with explicit references to the affair, saying: 'Aren't you the guy that let John Terry smash your ex? I'm pretty sure that's what you're known for,'' prompting the crowd to chant 'Vanessa woah, Vanessa woah', referencing Perroncel.

KSI's remarks were seen as crossing a personal boundary, which led Bridge to announce on Monday that he would no longer be participating in the fight. Bridge stated that the comments were deeply hurtful and affected the families involved, emphasizing his priority to protect his family, including his wife, Frankie Bridge, and their two sons.

The statement read: 'I'm sure a lot of you have seen what happened on Saturday night at the Misfits Boxing event. 'Firstly, I think it's important that I explain my reason for accepting the fight. I always like to challenge myself.'

'I have always loved boxing as part of my everyday training routine. I was fully prepared to train hard and have some fun. Of course, I expected to face some criticism, but I feel like what was said on Saturday crossed a line.'

His decision to step back from the fight comes after years of moving past the scandal, as he has since married Frankie and maintained a focus on his family life. Although disappointed, Bridge confirmed he would seek another challenge in the future when circumstances are more suitable.