In an unexpected twist following his recent retirement, former Manchester United defender and Premier League winner Danny Simpson is trying his hands in the ring after agreeing to take part in his first-ever boxing match.
The ex-Man United, QPR, Newcastle United and Leicester City full-back only called time on his playing career after the best part of two decades this July, writing in a statement that he knew it was time to “hang up [his] boots and concentrate on other projects”.
As it turns out, the first of these new projects will be his boxing debut as part of the Misfits exhibition franchise, which has seen a number of celebrities, influencers and ex-athletes take part since the promotion was founded back in 2022.
Set to take place at the 3 Arena in Dublin on 31 August, the upcoming event will mark the official two-year anniversary of Misfits Boxing and its first visit to Ireland.
‘Deen The Great’ will be putting his MFB Lightweight Championship on the line against hometown favourite Dave Fogarty, Sami Hamed will be taking on Jesse Clarke and Danny Simpson’s aforementioned fight against 22-year-old YouTuber Danny Aarons will be making up the latest fight card.
ADVERTISEMENT
Elsewhere, there are bouts between HS TikkyTokky vs George Fensom and Ben Williams vs Warren Spencer booked, not to mention two cruiserweight quarter-final contests on the night, with both Jake Cornish and Mike Edwards, as well as DTG and Minikon set to lock horns.
X Series 17, which will be broadcast live on DAZN, was also set to see founder KSI take on an ambitious 2v1 match against Slim and Anthony Taylor but he ultimately had to pull out due to injury.
ADVERTISEMENT
Instead, KSI, who essentially started the whole modern advent of ‘YouTuber boxing’, will be performing as part of a special live concert on the night.
KSI tops HUGE night in Dublin Aug 31 🇮🇪
HS TikkyTokky takes on George Fensom, Danny Aarons takes on EPL winner Danny Simpson and KSI performs an exclusive music set when Misfits Boxing comes to Ireland ☘️@PrimeHydrate | @KickStreamingpic.twitter.com/CcjLbIKLfz
As for Simpson, his reaction to the announcement was short but sweet, writing on social media: “So it’s official. I’ll be making my boxing debut on the 31st of August in Dublin on the Misfits Boxing card.
“Excited for fight night. Let’s have some fun.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Gaining some serious traction in the space of just two short years, even the likes of Wayne Rooney have been offered to take part in the growing fight series, so we expect the 37-year-old won’t be the last retired footballer to get involved with Misfits.
Manchester Storm have already set a new record before they’ve even returned ‘home’
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have already broken a record ahead of next season, and they’ve done it before they’ve even made it back to their original stadium.
Just goes to show that the ice hockey following here in Greater Manchester hasn’t gone anywhere.
Following the news that Manchester Storm will be returning to the city centre for the 2026/27 campaign, they’ve had a flood of interest from both new and old fans.
With that in mind, it didn’t take long for the native team to reveal that they have already set a new record for season ticket sales just a few weeks on from the announcement.
Sharing an update on social media, they write: “Manchester Storm supporters have delivered incredible demand for 2026/27 Season Tickets, with the club recording its highest-ever sales within the first week and the strongest total in its modern history.
“Thank you, Manchester, for your amazing support.”
Crediting ticketing partner StubHero for helping deliver “a smooth experience during this period of exceptional demand” for followers of the local outfit, they’re even set to give away the next milestone season ticket away completely FREE as part of the ‘homecoming’ celebrations.
Writing further in an official statement, they went on to add: “The move back to the AO Arena represents far more than just a change of venue or a return home…
“It marks the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for the club, built around bigger crowds, bigger occasions, and an unforgettable gameday experience in one of the UK’s premier entertainment venues.
Speaking in an interview with internal media, CEO and owner Emma Finnerty said that they’re not just aiming to grow their reputation in Britain: “Our vision is to become the biggest club in Europe.
“When you think of Manchester, you think of Manchester United and Manchester City – and then hopefully we’ll come third after them.”
While the former ‘Storm Shelter’ stadium at Planet Ice Altrincham only held a maximum of 2,500 spectators, serving them more than faithfully over the past decade or so, the AO Arena can literally hold almost ten times that amount. Here’s hoping they get close to full week in and week out.
As hockey fandom continues to grow across the UK, it feels like a better time than ever for supporters to get involved with the sport – and, as ever, they’re keen to get people as involved as possible.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Publicity pictures (via Manchester Storm)
Sport
Manchester United and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE
Danny Jones
Man United Women and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE after collecting the award this week.
The Greater Mancunian has grown to become one of the most influential female players of the modern era, and now her impact has been immortalised by the monarchy.
Being recognised for services to the discipline on Tuesday, 19 May, the local athlete finally collected her accolade at Windsor Castle.
Presented to her by Prince William, the Tyldesley-born attacker said in a statement: “It’s been amazing. It’s a bit of a pinch-me moment to be here and be honoured with an MBE.
“I never thought when I started out playing football I’d now be called Ella Toone MBE, so it’s a bit crazy.”
Having suffered a tough time out with injury, the 26-year-old also insists she is now back feeling “better and stronger than ever.”
With Sarina Wiegman’s official squad selection for the qualifiers ahead of FIFA’s 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, she’s also looking forward to reuniting with her England teammates.
Here she is talking to Sky ahead of the games, not long after receiving the award:
"I've missed it so much, can't wait to be back with the girls" 🏴
Ella Toone is looking forward to meeting up with her England teammates next month for World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/K02nJbSkE0
Speaking back in December, she confessed that it’s all been “a bit mad” for her ever since she learned of the news, but her worthiness speaks for itself.
Winning not only back-to-back Euros titles with the national side, along with the first-ever UEFA Women’s Finalissima trophy in 2023, but also inspiring young kids dreaming of becoming footballers across the country and beyond.
Congratulations once again, ‘Tooney’ – beyond well-deserved.
Across the city, it’s great to see yet more groundbreaking investment in the women’s game being made for generations to come.
Danny Jones -
7th August 2024 
