Wayne Bridge has received a wealth of support from fans after dropping out of a fight against YouTuber KSI over his jibes about John Terry.

The former footballer, 44, claimed the star had ‘crossed a line’ by making comments about his his ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel’s alleged affair with John.

The ex Chelsea defender was set to fight KSI in Manchester on March 29 but he dramatically withdrew just two days later in a statement posted on Monday.

Boxing fans have lept to Wayne’s defence as they branded KSI’s comments ‘cringey’ and applauded Wayne for his ‘dignity’ and ‘doing the right thing’.

Taking to X after the news that Wayne would no longer be fighting KSI following the  dig at Wayne after Misfits Boxing 20 on Saturday night, they said: 

‘Not into this misfits stuff but hats off to Wayne Bridge. Some things just don’t need saying! It was cringey AF and KSI is a mᴀssive t**’; ‘What KSI said to Wayne Bridge was so bad, Bridge was so humble and didn’t deserve that kind of treatment’;

Wayne Bridge has received a wealth of support from fans after dropping out of a fight against YouTuber KSI over his jibes about John Terry

The former footballer, 44, claimed the star had ‘crossed a line’ by making comments about his his ex Vanessa Perroncel’s alleged affair with John

‘Embarᴀssing from KSI, no class and in very poor taste. Cringed when I saw this. Wayne Bridge definitely did the right thing here’; ‘Wayne Bridge showed tremendous dignity, he is somebody kids can look up to…

‘KSI lost an opportunity to be a role model for kids. It takes years to build real respect and he’s just lost any he had. Read sledging takes intellect, perhaps the main point here…

‘Wayne Bridge showed tremendous dignity, he is somebody kids can look up to. KSI lost an opportunity to be a role model for kids. It takes years to build real respect and he’s just lost any he had. Real sledging takes intellect, perhaps the main point here.

‘Catching up on the YouTuber boxing scene. I think it’s an own goal from KSI to talk the way he did to Wayne about his ex wife with John Terry and getting the crowd to sing out her name. Wayne Bridge has kids who would have been watching that’;

‘I’m a great believer that you never involve a man’s family life into what you’re doing in life. Even if it’s good or bad. Let’s see how this one pans out! Bosh.’ 

Fair enough man, the guy wanted to fight but instead of getting abused, how on earth can KSI have beef with Wayne Bridge? What a pathetic human’; ‘There ain’t one YouTuber/TikToker who has any class about them.

‘Fair play to Wayne Bridge dropping out, genuine bloke who refuses to be dragged down to the pits of people like KSI whose weird man, proper weird’; ‘Good for him. Wayne Bridge is a “real” man’;

‘I’m glad Wayne Bridge cancelled this fight. pretty sure you did a documentary and a mental health campaign and then you go and use someone’s personal tragedy to form a chant to humiliate them. It’s hypocrisy, you should and need to be better than this…

Boxing fans have lept to Wayne’s defence as they branded KSI’s comments ‘cringey’ and applauded Wayne for his ‘dignity’ and ‘doing the right thing’ 

‘Embarᴀssing from KSI, no class and in very poor taste. Cringed when I saw this. Wayne Bridge definitely did the right thing here’; ‘My respect for Wayne Bridge is through the roof. What a guy’;

‘Wayne Bridge pulls out of the KSI fight due to the comments KSI made about the John Terry situation. Thank god, KSI looks like the clown now’; ‘What KSI said to Wayne Bridge was so bad. Bridge was so humble and didn’t deserve that treatment’.

During a face-off in the ring with Wayne, KSI said: ‘Aren’t you the guy that let John Terry smash your ex?’ Bridge replied: ‘You want to go there straight away do you?’

‘I’m pretty sure that’s what you’re known for,’ KSI added, before riling up the crowd and starting a chant that went: ‘Vanessa woah, Vanessa woah’, referencing Bridge’s ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel.

KSI proceeded to add X-rated words to his chant that directly referenced John and Wayne’s former partner.

After the remarks, Wayne announced that he wishes to protect his family from such comments and will seek another challenge in the ring later down the line. 

The statement read: ‘I’m sure a lot of you have seen what happened on Saturday night at the Misfits Boxing event.

‘Firstly, I think it’s important that I explain my reason for accepting the fight. I always like to challenge myself. This felt like a good opportunity to go up against an interesting opponent on a big stage.

‘I have always loved boxing as part of my everyday training routine. I was fully prepared to train hard and have some fun. Of course, I expected to face some criticism, but I feel like what was said on Saturday crossed a line. 

‘These are deeply personal comments that affect mine and other families involved in the situation. I’m a family man first and my priority is protecting them.

‘My opponent is someone that many children look up to around the, including my kids. I hope one day he will look back on this differently. I personally don’t want to be involved in these exchanges. I will no longer be fighting on March 29.

‘I’m still looking out for my next big challenge and have some exciting things coming up in 2025. Thanks for all the love. The support has been overwhelming. 

‘I want my friends and family to know how special they are. Deep down I know this is the right thing to do.’

Wayne broke up with Vanessain 2009 and has been married to Frankie Bridge since 2014

Read More Fans admit ‘Wayne Bridge can actually box’ as footage of former Chelsea star in charity bout emerges

Wayne’s relationship with Vanessa broke down amid the allegations that she had an affair with former Blues and England captain John- who was Wayne’s teammate at the time.

John and Wayne were later goaded over the situation by rival supporters and the pair are no longer friends over the incident.

Vanessa has vehemently denied the allegations, which state the affair took place in 2009, and previously claimed she had legal documents to prove her innocence.

Wayne has fought before, defeating Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews in a charity bout seven years ago.

He hung up his boots in 2014 following a career which saw him win the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup at Chelsea.

Wayne also played for Southampton, Fulham, West Ham, Sunderland and Brighton and picked up 36 England caps. Those who know him say he remains in peak condition.