• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Current England international 'battered' Duncan Ferguson in training ground boxing match behind closed doors

Home> Football> England

Updated 10:15 9 Jun 2025 GMT+1Published 10:11 9 Jun 2025 GMT+1

Current England international 'battered' Duncan Ferguson in training ground boxing match behind closed doors

Ferguson is known as one of the Premier League's toughest players of all time.

Luke Davies

Luke Davies

Duncan Ferguson admitted that he got ‘battered’ by a current England and Premier League star when they took part in a training ground boxing match.

Ferguson, 53, was a talented striker and played for huge clubs such as Everton, Rangers and Newcastle United during his playing career.

However, he was arguably best known for his hardman persona and even became the first British footballer to serve a prison sentence for something he did on the pitch.

Even the toughest of players tried to avoid Ferguson, with former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane once admitting that he “used to stay away from him” during matches.

Advert

And despite his reputation, a current England star still mustered up the courage to take him on in a behind-closed-doors boxing match.

Duncan Ferguson was a Premier League hardman (Credit:Getty)
Duncan Ferguson was a Premier League hardman (Credit:Getty)

The player in question is former Everton and current Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, who Ferguson gave his Toffees debut during a Europa League tie in December 2017.

“I made sure Gordon got his debut at Limassol," Ferguson said in his book ‘Big Dunc: The Upfront Autobiography'.

Advert

“I then gave Anthony his second game against Leicester… I loved his appetite to improve, he wanted to learn and practice, practice, practice.

“He was as fit as a fiddle and took diet seriously but was still going to different boxing gyms and sparring. ‘You have to stop,’ I told Anthony, ‘You can’t go to them, you’ll get hurt’.

“He battered me once in the Finch Farm (Everton training ground) gym. I had a pair of boxing gloves on, he didn’t. And I didn't do it again. Anthony’s a bright lad, knows what he wants and is dedicated and lightning quick.”

Gordon, 24, spoke about his love for boxing during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live during Euro 2024.

Advert

Anthony Gordon in action for England (Credit:Getty)
Anthony Gordon in action for England (Credit:Getty)

"I think everyone in Liverpool likes boxing,” Gordon claimed. “I think every kid just finds themselves in the local boxing club.

"You grow up watching it as well. On the pitch, I think it makes me more aggressive, play with more tenacity.

"Before I started [boxing], I was down a lot. I would get pushed off the ball a lot.

Advert

"And then when I started doing it, it brought out a different side of me, aggression, and just wanting to win, more desire in those battles."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Anthony Gordon, Everton, Boxing, Premier League, Football, Newcastle United

Luke Davies
Luke Davies

Journalist with expertise covering football - both in England and abroad - as well as combat sports.

X

@lukedaviesmedia

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Duncan Ferguson faced Wayne Rooney in training-ground boxing match and one man 'hid away'
  • Liverpool fans convinced one player is leaving after team sheet leaked from behind-closed-doors friendly
  • Britain's hardest footballer Duncan Ferguson 'feared for his life' in terrifying prison incident
  • Anthony Gordon 'spotted' leaving Newcastle's training ground in new £190k car that has never been seen in the UK before

Choose your content:

an hour ago
4 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Barcelona take drastic action for Marcus Rashford's next game after major issue during 33-minute debut

    Rashford made his Barcelona debut against Japanese J1 League side Vissel Kobe on Sunday.

    Football
  • 4 hours ago

    Man Utd targets Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins' stats compared and they make for fascinating reading

    Manchester United's primary striker targets provide contrasting options for Ruben Amorim.

    Football
  • 4 hours ago

    Man Utd insider reveals new contract clauses every player has had to sign under Sir Jim Ratcliffe

    Every Manchester United player has reportedly signed an agreement his year.

    Football
  • 4 hours ago

    Bryan Mbeumo 'tells' Ruben Amorim which striker to sign for Man Utd to get the best out of him

    Manchester United's new striker has his say on Red Devils hunt for a centre-forward

    Football