Jamie Carragher has teased the possibility of stepping into the boxing ring with fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville — saying the pair may as well 'have it out' on the canvas given the argue on the TV every week.
The Sky Sports duo, known for their lively on-screen clashes, could be set for a new stage if Carragher gets his way, after he joked about a fight with the former Manchester United defender on a Misfits boxing card.
The idea was ignited during Mail Sport's visit to a Liverpool boxing gym, where Carragher joined former UFC fighter Darren Till in training. Also in the gym were the Smith brothers Liam and Callum, along with former undisputed super-lightweight world champion Josh Taylor.
Carragher, who now trains in the gym regularly, was in high spirits as he joked about his boxing credentials — or lack thereof — and reflected on a bruising charity spar he once had with Callum Smith.
While the challenge to Neville may have been made in jest, Carragher didn’t rule it out entirely, hinting that a bout for a good cause might not be too far-fetched.
He also shared his admiration for Till’s sharpness in training and the rise of Misfits boxing, the crossover promotion that has brought together influencers, entertainers, and former athletes in the ring.
When asked whether he would consider fighting Neville on a Misfits card, Carragher said: 'I mean, I fight with him every week on telly so I might as well do it in the ring on fight night. We could even do a nice charity night against each other. That would be good, wouldn't it?'
Carragher, who admitted he's never had a proper boxing match, recalled one particularly humbling experience when he stepped into the ring for a charity spar with Callum Smith.
'A few years ago, I think for charity, a few of us paid to jump in with the Smith brothers. I was with Callum,' he said.
'It didn't go very well for me. Callum was just throwing at me.'
While shaking his head and laughing, Carragher added: 'As you could imagine, I couldn't do anything about it. Playing football is a completely different kettle of fish to being in the boxing ring.'
Despite his lack of ring experience, the former footballer says he trains at the gym two to three times a week and has dabbled in pad work, though he's well aware of its limitations.
'Everyone looks good on pads, don't they? It gives you a bit of confidence, but no one is hitting you back,' he laughed.
While a Carragher vs Neville bout remains tongue-in-cheek for now, fans of the duo's on-screen debates may well relish the thought of the rivalry spilling over into the squared circle — all in the name of charity.