WWE legend Bret Hart at Ryan Rhodes wrestling grudge match - VIDEO
FIGHT hero Ryan Rhodes is back in action next month – but not in the boxing ring. His next showdown is against a WRESTLER!
And today it was announced that WWE all time great Bret 'The Hitman' Hart, regarded as Pele of the wrestling world, is coming out of retirement to watch the fight and meet fans at iceSheffield, on Saturday, July 11.
Rhodes, aged 32, who is also expected to fight for a boxing world crown later this year, has agreed to a Rocky-style boxer v wrestler grudge match against Scott Gallagher, following bad blood between the two.
Rhodes, a wrestling fan, was with family at ringside when Gallagher jumped over the ropes and squared up to him at a recent 1PW wrestling show, at Doncaster Dome.
Press the green play button to see our exclusive video coverage of the rumpus when the two came face to face and it all kicked off.
Johnny Nelson, the former WBO Cruiserweright world champ, and Kell Brook, the British welterweight, had to restrain pal Rhodes, who pushed the Scotsman away when banter got out of hand.
Rhodes, ranked eighth light middleweight in the world by the WBC, has been warned he could suffer serious injury in the wrestling ring and end his lifelong dream of a becoming a world champ boxer.
But today he confirmed that he has signed for the main event at Steel City Ice Rage: Total Meltdown. Tickets are now on sale - full details below.
Rhodes said: "I'm hoping they can make this a special world title fight. If it is I might be a wrestling world champ before I get a shot at the boxing title. But even if there's no belt at stake, my reputation is. Gallagher was disrespectful to me in front of my family and friends. He wants a fight – he's got it. I'm not bothered that it's in the wrestling ring. I've not decided whether it will be gloves off, or on for me.
"I can't wrestle but I've been watching Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler. All I need now is my boxing fans and wrestling fans to cheer me on. Gallagher is the bad guy. It will be like the Rocky film when Stallone faced Hulk Hogan. But I'm planning not to be thrown out of the ring. Gallagher is no Hogan."
Rhodes said of Bret Hart's appearance: "I grew up watching him in the ring with Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Bill Goldberg and all the greats. I love wrestling. But I'm a boxer. So it will be the most unusual fight of my career. I don't think I'll be doing it again."
Hart, a WWE seven times world champion, is known as "The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be". He will fly in from Canada to hold the winner's hand aloft. He will also take part in a rare Q&A fan meet and greet, signings and instant photographs, before the show.
1PW, the new established big name in British wrestling, will mark its Sheffield debut in asociation with LGI Enterprises - with a line-up of other WWE, TNA and Ring Of Honour superstar names on the bill, including ROH Champion Jerry Lynn, ex WWE star Colt Cabana and TNA giant, The Masked Monster Abyss. "The Vigilante" Johnny Moss, Kevin Thorne, Doug Williams, Martin Stone, Project Ego, Pac and Rockstar Spud are due to appear. Line up is subject to change.
BUY TICKETS: Tickets are 15, 20 and 40, may be subject to a booking fee. Buy in person from iceSheffield, Coleridge Road , Attercliffe, call 0114 2789 789, 0114 256 5656, buy on line via Sheffield City Hall and Sheffield Arena by clicking the links here www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk or www.sheffieldarena.co.uk .
BRET HART MEET AND GREET Q&A: The Bret Hart Q&A, also at iceSheffield, Saturday, July 11, is 2pm to 4pm and costs 15, entry only. Fans will be able to have professional photos taken with Hart, which will be printed for signing on the day - a rare keepsake, plus other memorabilia. For entry tickets call 01246 431079 or 01246 432189.
Have you got a view? Comment below.
Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. To subscribe CLICK HERE
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
