Boxing icon 'wants to fight' Thierry Henry as surprise offer made

A former four-weight world champion has called out Arsenal legend Thierry Henry just weeks after former heavyweight Malik Scott offered his services to train the Frenchman.

Since retiring from professional football in 2014, two-time Premier League winner Henry has kept himself in tip-top physical condition, which was evident in a recent Instagram workout post.

The images quickly went viral, with many suggesting the 48-year-old is in better shape now than when he played.

This also prompted boxing trainer and former heavyweight champion Malik to speak out, with the American — who is married to Henry’s CBS colleague Kate Scott — saying he would “be here for him” if the former striker decided to give boxing a go.

“I believe that with his mental strength and everything he had to overcome to be who he is today, that’s what it would take to become a fighter, and I believe Henry has those qualities to do that,” Malik told Action Network. “Not just in boxing, but in any sport he would have chosen.”

And now, just a few weeks on, boxing icon Roy Jones Jr has claimed he would be willing to take part in an exhibition bout with Henry if the money was right.

Jones is widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time, having won world titles in four weight divisions — middleweight, super-middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight.

The 57-year-old officially retired from boxing in 2018 after defeating Scott Sigmon, before returning at the age of 54 for a defeat to Anthony Pettis in April 2023.

Speaking on behalf of Grosvenor Casino, Jones said: “Would I consider an exhibition with Thierry Henry? Because of the sport I am in, and because of who I am, if the money was right, why would I not?

“If somebody came with the right bag, of course I’d probably jump up and say, ‘that’s a reason for me to go and get in shape again.’

“I don’t want to get in shape, and I’m definitely not going to get in shape for nothing, because I did so many years of training. But yes, if somebody said, ‘Hey, we’ve got X amount of dollars to come and move around and do an exhibition.’

“I really don’t entertain much anymore, because most stuff is not really valid, so I don’t pay most people much attention. But a person like him — he’s capable of paying for what he wants to do.”

Of course, it is unclear whether Henry would be willing to lace up the gloves for an exhibition.