Bridge pulls out of KSI fight after YouTuber 'crossed line'

Former England footballer Wayne Bridge has pulled out of his fight with KSI after the YouTuber "crossed the line" with remarks about his ex-girlfriend's alleged affair with former team-mate John Terry.

The bout, which had been scheduled to take place on 29 March, was only announced two days ago.

In a statement posted on Instagram, external, Bridge said: "These are deeply personal comments that affect mine and other families involved in the situation.

"I'm a family man first and my priority is protecting them. Of course, I expected to face some criticism, but I feel like what was said on Saturday crossed a line."

In 2010, Bridge gave up his place in the England squad and Terry was stripped of his captaincy following the allegations of infidelity, which also resulted in the breakdown of Bridge's relationship with French model Vanessa Perroncel, with whom he has a son.

Bridge, 44, is now married and has two children with his wife Frankie, who was a singer with girl group The Saturdays.

He added: "My opponent is someone that many children look up to around the world, including my kids.

"I hope one day he will look back on this differently. I personally don't want to be involved in these exchanges. Deep down I know this is the right thing to do."

Bridge, who won 36 England caps and played for Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Manchester City.

He retired from football in 2014 and fought TV star Spencer Matthews in a charity bout for Sport Relief in 2018.

KSI, whose real name is Olajide William Olatunji, has fought on several occasions, including against Tommy Fury in 2023.

He lost on points on that occasion in a bout that was not licensed by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC), which governs the sport in the United Kingdom, because KSI did not hold a professional boxing licence.

Crossover bouts involving influencers and social media personalities have gained huge traction with audiences in recent years, despite questions about whether they damage the credibility of the sport.

In November, Jake Paul defeated 58-year-old former world champion Mike Tyson in a bout attended by more than 70,000 in Texas and watched by millions on Netflix.