'I'm a Prem icon – I don't think Roy Keane's as tough as he makes out, it's all bravado'
Premier League managerial icon Harry Redknapp has joked that he could take on Roy Keane in the boxing ring, claiming that the Irishman's toughness is all a front
by Abbie Meehan · The MirrorHarry Redknapp believes he could beat Roy Keane in a boxing match as his tough exterior is all "bravado".
Keane, who was a midfield stalwart for Manchester United in his playing days, has a no-nonsense attitude and is known to speak his mind, both on and off the pitch. The Irishman picked up 13 red cards during his career, earning him a formidable reputation among players and pundits alike.
However, Redknapp is adamant that he could give Keane a run for his money in a boxing match, as he appeared on the Soccer PM YouTube channel. On the show, the iconic boss was shown a list of ex-Premier League players and asked if he could take them on in the ring.
Redknapp said: "I don't think Roy Keane's as tough as he makes out. It's all bravado. I wouldn’t mind fighting Roy Keane, actually."
Redknapp was manager of West Ham and Portsmouth at the time that Keane was playing his best football for United - but the latter has actually had more battles with Redknapp's son, Jamie Redknapp. Both Jamie and Keane are active football pundits and regularly appear together on Sky Sports.
As well as the Irish midfielder, Redknapp snr. named a few other players he'd get the better of in a boxing ring, but claimed that he'd be "too tall" for Ballon D'or winner Michael Owen.
Gareth Southgate, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Paul Scholes were all players Redknapp believes he could take on and beat - but admitted he wouldn't want to fight Scholesy, adding: "I love him, what a footballer."
The ex-West-Ham player felt that Peter Crouch, Sol Campbell, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand would all get the better of him. When ex-Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise was named, Redknapp said: "You'd have to kill him to beat him!"
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