Wayne Rooney: ‘Boxing Is How I Control My Anger’

Ollie Irish

30th, March 2010

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By Ollie Irish

Wazza poses with good mate Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton after a fight in Las Vegas

Wayne Rooney has revealed he uses boxing to curb his temper.

“I used to do boxing and football,” he told Champions magazine.

“I was training every night with one of them and when I got to about 15, Everton said I had to stop boxing if I wanted to carry on playing football.

“I had a good chance of making the first team, so I stopped.

“I still love watching boxing. It is a big thing in my family. I can still do a bit now after training, but obviously not fighting.

“I enjoy it. It is a good way to get rid of some anger.”

There’s no doubt that Rooney has done well in smoothing the edges off his volatile personality, especially since he was sent off for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho at the 2006 World Cup. Alex Ferguson has had a lot to do with that, but if boxing channels Wazza’s fiery side, all the better for Man Utd and England.