Roy Keane told he’s ‘not as tough as he makes out, it’s all bravado' by Premier League legend

Harry Redknapp was manager of West Ham and Portsmouth at the time that Roy Keane was playing his best football for Man Utd - and he reckons he could take him in a fight

Abbie Meehan Sports Writer U-35s

13:09, 01 Oct 2024

Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Keane has a tough reputation both on and off the pitch(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Harry Redknapp believes he could beat Roy Keane in a boxing bout – claiming the former Manchester United star's tough guy image is just "bravado".

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Keane, famed for his no-nonsense approach during his time as a midfield enforcer at Old Trafford, has always been one to shoot from the hip, both on the field and now as a pundit. The fiery Irishman racked up a whopping 13 red cards throughout his playing career, cementing his status as a fearsome figure in the football world.

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But Redknapp is convinced he'd have the edge over Keane if they ever laced up the gloves, as he revealed on the Soccer PM YouTube channel. The former manager was quizzed about which ex-Premier League stars he'd fancy his chances against in the ring.

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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."

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During Keane's glory days at United, Redknapp was at the helm of West Ham and Portsmouth. Although it's Jamie Redknapp, Harry's son, who's had more on-screen run-ins with Keane – with the pair often seen exchanging quips as pundits on Sky Sports.

Who do you think would be the most exciting boxing match-up from the football world? Let us know in the comments section.

Portsmouth's manager Harry Redknapp offers plenty of vocal support to his team as Manchester United manager Sir Alec Ferguson (3 -R , back ) watches during their Premiership football match 17 April, 2004 in Portsmouth. Portsmouth won 1-0.

Redknapp was Portsmouth manager while Roy Keane was at United(Image: MARTYN HAYHOW/AFP via Getty Image)

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Not stopping at Keane, Redknapp senior also listed other football legends he'd back himself to floor in a fight, although he joked he'd be "too tall" for striker Michael Owen.

He didn't shy away from naming Gareth Southgate, Shaun Wright-Phillips, and Paul Scholes as potential ring rivals he could topple, but confessed he wouldn't want to spar with Scholesy, adding: "I love him, what a footballer."

Roy Keane of Manchester United clashes with Anders Svensson of Southampton during the Barclays Premiership match between Manchester United and Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on December 4 2004 in Manchester, England.

Keane is renowned for his no-nonsense attitude(Image: Tom Purslow/Manchester United via Getty Images)

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The former West Ham boss reckons football legends like Peter Crouch, Sol Campbell, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand would outclass him in the ring.

But when it comes to ex-Chelsea tough guy Dennis Wise, Redknapp joked: "You'd have to kill him to beat him!"