Wrexham’s James McClean could be the next in line to fight Jake Paul. But could a fight between the two really happen?
James McClean is known for his physicality on the pitch. A tough tackler and a brute force, he’s still going strong at 36 years old, and he’s showing no signs of slowing up just yet.
As Wrexham earned promotion to the Championship, McClean starred once again. He featured 42 times in League One and scored four goals, with seven assists and some vitally important performances along the way too.
Under contract until 2026, McClean’s Championship experience will serve Phil Parkinson’s side very well in the upcoming 2025/26 season. But could the Irishman’s attentions now be turning to something off the pitch, and in the boxing ring?
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesWrexham star James McClean calls out Jake Paul for a boxing match
McClean has been looking to get into the world of boxing for a while now. Previously there’s been rumours of him fighting former Premier League man Danny Simpson in a Misfits event. But now it’s Jake Paul.
Recent comments from McClean’s former manager at West Brom, Tony Pulis, has sparked speculation about a potential match up between Wrexham star McClean and Paul, who’s now fought the likes of Mike Tyson and Nate Diaz among many others in a boxing ring, and won.
McClean has weighed in posting on his Instagram story. He says ‘sign me up, let’s do it’ adding in a follow up story, ‘One camp and I beat him’.
Photo By Tom Horak/Sportsfile via Getty ImagesRyan Reynolds knows how tough James McClean is amid Jake Paul speculation
Whether or not an actual boxing match transpires between McClean and Paul remains to be seen. But it’d certainly be a spectacle and there’d be a lot of people and football fans who’d back McClean.
And Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds would surely be one of them. Reynolds says McClean is one of his favourite players to watch, hailing his fiery personality which would surely serve him well against Paul.
Reynolds said of McClean in a recent interview: “There is a burning, fearsome, 5000 kelvin oven inside that guy that is remarkable, and one of my favourite players to watch.”
Right now expect McClean to be focussed on the summer preparations for the next Championship season. After that, who knows what could happen.