EX-MANCHESTER UNITED defender Patrice Evra will take part in a boxing match with social media star Adam Saleh.
The former France international has been enjoying retirement since hanging up his boots in 2019.
Patrice Evra will throw down with YouTuber Adam Saleh at the O2 Arena on April 30
Ex-Man Utd star Saleh has no pro or amateur experience to his name
Saleh has taken part in three YouTuber fights
But the retired full-back will spend the next few weeks whipping himself into fighting shape for an April dust-up with American Saleh.
Evra said of the bout on Instagram: “This fight will be April 30 at The O2 Arena in London.
“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.”
Fight and footy fans were quick to react to the news, with one tweeting: “Best chance of United player finishing as high as runner up this season.”
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Another said: “Boxing is a joke now.”
And another said: “No way it’s actually real this is so random.”
One stunned person: “What the actual f**k???????? This can’t be real.”
Unlike Saleh, who has three YouTube fights to his name and reportedly has an amateur background, Evra has no experience inside the ring.
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But that hasn’t dampened his eagerness to trade heavy leather.
The 40-year-old said: “I’m really excited to participate for the first time ever in my life in a boxing match, because I always had so much respect for people boxing.
“It is not just about power and strength, it is also about strategy and technique — It’s like a chess game.
“What I am the most excited for is the training technique, because the way they train is completely different to how football players train.
“I am really excited to work hard, to challenge myself, and to get out of my comfort zone.
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“It is a massive opportunity for me.
“Of course, I want to have fun, like with everything I do, but I also want to make sure I show that I respect this sport.”
Evra’s clash with Saleh will take place on the undercard of The Iranian Hulk’s titanic showdown with British man-mountain Martyn Ford.
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