Featured Image Credit: Getty & DAZN
Topics: KSI, John Terry
Josh Lawless
Wayne Bridge's former partner appears to have responded to KSI referencing allegations that she had an affair with John Terry and leading to their scheduled fight being cancelled.
Bridge, who played for Chelsea, Manchester City and England before retiring in 2014, was set to make his professional boxing debut against KSI under the Misfits Boxing banner.
At the Co-op Arena on Saturday, Bridge got into the ring with a face-off with KSI, who proceeded to taunt him by leading the fans into chants about claims his ex Vanessa Perroncel had an alleged affair with former teammate Terry.
Apart from saying to KSI, "You want to go there straight away do you?", Bridge didn't offer much of a reaction at the time.
However, two days later, the 44-year-old announced he was pulling out of the fight "due to the "deeply personal" comments which have affected his family and "crossed a line".
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He posted a lengthy statement explanation his decision, while Perroncel, mother of Bridge's eldest child Jaydon, appeared to comment on her Instagram.
On her Instagram story, the French model shared a quote which read: "The smallest minds often come with the biggest mouths".
Perroncel has always denied allegations she had an affair with Terry, who Bridge had a well-publicised falling-out with in the wake of the tabloid stories.
Former England left-back Bridge fought a charity boxing match against Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews and had expressed excitement about getting in the ring in a professional capacity.
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However the exchange with KSI left a sour taste in his mouth and he decided to back out and prioritise protecting his family.
"I'm sure a lot of you have seen what happened on Saturday night at the Misfits Boxing event," Bridge wrote on Instagram.
"Firstly, I think it's important that I explain my reason for accepting the fight. I always like to challenge myself. This felt like a good opportunity to go up against an interesting opponent on a big stage.
"I have always loved boxing as part of my everyday training routine. I was fully prepared to train hard and have some fun.
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"Of course, I expected to face some criticism, but I feel like what was said on Saturday crossed a line.
"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."
"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."
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KSI has gone on record to say that he is desperate for the superfight with long-time rival Jake Paul, but other fighters are lobbying to take on the 31-year-old.
Premier League winner Danny Simpson appears to want a crack after making his debut against Danny Aarons, while former UFC star Darren Till has expressed interest in taking on KSI following a triumphant debut against Anthony Taylor in the main event of the MF & DAZN: X Series 20 card in Manchester.
Although he said he won't be calling out KSI, Till did admit to not enjoying The Nightmare's conduct which led to Bridge cancelling their fight.
"I'm not a big fan of the whole getting personal about family members and wives and girlfriends," he told IFL TV.
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"It's not really my style to really bring them in to the script. I probably could have done it with Tommy but I don't really like it.
"I don't think it was necessary to pull out after that but at the same time I don't see why KSI would say some of those things.
"It's not my style, but if other people want to do it, then that's up to them."