The Ex-Manchester United star who's ditched football for the boxing ring

As a footballer, he won the Premier League. Now Danny Simpson is aiming to take that winning mentality into an entirely new field.

Former Manchester United and Leicester City star Danny announced he was retiring from football in July at the age of 37. He then shocked the sports world by swiftly announcing his next move - into boxing.

Later this month, he will take on his first ever bout, on the undercard for KSI's Misfit Boxing in Dublin against Youtuber Danny Aarons. His debut will be watched by a sold out live crowd of some 13,000 at Dublin's 3Arena on August 31 as well as a global TV audience of millions on streaming service DAZN

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He was called up as a last minute replacement for the fight after influencer Beavo's withdrawal due to injury. That meant he has had a lead in of just FIVE WEEKS to prepare for his first ever fight, having never boxed before.

But Danny knew just who to call on to help him get in shape, in an almost Rocky-like bid for boxing brilliance in the coming days.

He's been training with the legendary boxer Pat Barrett at Collyhurst and Moston Lads Club. When we caught up with Danny at the boxing gym he admitted it's been the toughest training he's ever done.

He's already lost 4kg as he prepares to make the weight for the fight, and is training twice a day in a gruelling regime - but he's been loving it. And it has given him a real focus after quitting his 20 year career in football in July.

Eccles-raised Danny says: "It's like nothing I've ever experienced before, it's been amazing, it's been a breath of fresh air. The dedication, the work I do every day with the boys here, it's what I've missed, what I didn't realise