FORMER England star Wayne Bridge expects England to punch above their weight at this summer’s World Cup, telling the Daily Star: “I can see us getting to the semi-finals!”
And the former Chelsea, Southampton and England star is hoping to make a good fist of his own, new sporting challenge – taking on Made In Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews in the ring.
The pair are squaring up for Celebrity Boxing for Sport Relief, along with S Club 7’s Hannah Spearritt, The Saturdays’ Vanessa White, Love Island’s Camilla Thurlow and TV babe Helen Skelton. Wayne says: “I’m a huge boxing fan. Mike Tyson was my favourite but I loved watching Frank Bruno and Floyd Mayweather, too.”
The 37-year-old left-back retired from the game in 2014 but has built up a TV career since, appearing on I’m A Celebrity in 2016. He admits: “When I gave up playing football about two minutes.” there were lots more nights Wayne also carries on his out and the motivation training at home: “I’ve kind of went out of the been doing a lot window. of shadow boxing
“And then after I came in the garage out of the Jungle I wanted or I’ll go for a to eat anything that came jog.” my way. I got to my heaviest The father this January at more of three also than 13 stone.” enjoys heading
But in his bid to beat down to Matthews, 29, he has now the gym with been training hard for the his wife, Saturdays fight.
Wayne explains: “I’ve been fitting in the sessions whenever I can – I do a bit of bike work for 15 minutes, skipping for maybe 25 minutes and then some shadow boxing as well as bag work and sparring.”
But he admits the sessions can be exhausting: “We smack the bag for 30 seconds, relax for 30 seconds, then smack the bag for another 30 seconds, for singer Frankie Bridge, 29. He says: “We do 30-minute intense HIIT sessions like running on the spot or burpees, plus a spot of weight training.” Wayne’s efforts have paid off – he’s lost nearly a stone in just a couple of months. He says: “I’m down to 80 kilos – roughly a super middleweight I think.”
Wayne has been following a strict diet.
He says: “For breakfast I’ll have scrambled eggs, spinach and toast. Lunch will be something like salmon, broccoli and couscous and chicken stir fry at night.
“I love fajitas with some chicken too and I make my own guacamole.”
However, he does have some guilty pleasures.
He admits: “I’ll try and snack on fruit, but chocolate is my big weakness.”
Wayne is confident about both England’s chances of glory at Russia and his own challenge with the gloves.
He says: “I think they could surprise people.
“For myself, I’m quietly confident.”