Former Premier League Champion Danny Simpson on Tackling a Celebrity Boxing Fight: Losing 9kg in Four Weeks While Training Twice Daily

“Something happened as I was getting my hands wrapped,” reflects former Leicester City and Newcastle full-back Danny Simpson, his voice tinged with the gravity of the moment. “The music was on, and something clicked. I had to go into the zone because if I didn’t, the outcome wouldn’t have been good.” It’s a compelling insight into the mental gymnastics that elite athletes undergo, even when stepping into the ring rather than onto the pitch.

With a career that boasts 213 appearances in the Premier League, another 125 in the Championship, and the remarkable achievement of winning the 2015-16 title with the Foxes, Simpson knows pressure all too well. Yet, nothing could quite prepare him for the charged atmosphere of Dublin’s 3Arena, where he was set to face YouTuber and budding boxer Danny Aarons.

“Standing behind the boards waiting to come out, I felt something I’d never felt before,” Simpson reveals to eScored. “I knew everyone would be booing me because the other Danny was the favourite. In a weird way, that helped. I’ve been an underdog my whole life – at Leicester, trying to make it at Manchester United – so it was a feeling I relished.” This speaks volumes about Simpson’s journey—a lifelong battle against expectations and the weight of adversity.

A Premier League winner’s medal at stake

The stakes could not have been higher. Aarons, armed with an impressive digital presence, had bet his coveted one million YouTube subscribers plaque against Simpson’s glittering Premier League winner’s medal. “You’re not going to say no to any bet because then it looks like you’re weak,” Simpson asserts. “You’ve got to back yourself. Losing never entered my brain.” Ultimately, the clash ended in a split draw, a testament to both fighters’ grit.

This intriguing boxing bout emerged from a serendipitous call from Misfits Boxing, co-founded by social media titan KSI. With another athlete’s withdrawal leaving an opening, they posed the question: “Can you do it?” A resounding yes from Simpson thrust him into a whirlwind five weeks of rigorous training, coupled with a stark dietary overhaul. His transformation was nothing short of remarkable.

“As a footballer I knew what to eat, but this was very different,” he recalls. “I had to cut 9kg in four weeks – that’s tough, particularly while trying to learn the skills and train twice a day. They wanted me to lose an extra 2kg, but it might have been dangerous with baths and saunas just before the fight.” His commitment to the sport of boxing illustrated the dedication that characterized his footballing career.

Had he ever taken a punch before? “No, I was on a crash course learning how to box – I sparred four times and got battered in that if I’m honest,” Simpson chuckles. It’s a revealing moment that highlights not just his tenacity but the depths to which he had plunged into this new venture.

“But I needed it. I sparred with two great lads, and I’ve got clips of one of them absolutely leathering me! Anyone can hit pads, but once I had that first spar, it got real. There were many times that I thought, ‘I can’t do this’.” Yet, here is Simpson—undeterred, imbued with the fighting spirit that once led him to conquer the heights of English football.

Simpson not only stepped into the ring but also forged a community around this new pursuit, attending fights and establishing bonds with fellow boxers. “It gave me something to focus on. I needed a purpose – it was the ultimate test,” he asserts, illustrating the profound impact of sport on one’s psyche.

Many retired athletes can relate to those sentiments. Shortly before taking on this challenge, Simpson announced his retirement from football on social media. Cynics were quick to pounce, pointing out that his last professional appearance had been for Bristol City in October 2021.

“I was too scared to let it go,” he confesses. “I always hoped that I’d get an offer somewhere, or someone would need someone experienced to come in and help. It just never materialised. I never got to play my last official game; I never got to do that last walk out of the tunnel knowing it was my last game. That’s something I regret. But I thought if I’m going to take up another sport, I’ve got to retire from football first.”