Tyson Fury offers to spar Premier League legend Wayne Rooney

'Wayne, if you're listening'

Tyson Fury has jokingly offered to spar Premier League legend Wayne Rooney after the former Manchester United star said the heavyweight should be knighted. Fury made his return to the ring on December 3 where he defeated Derek Chisora to extend his record to 33-0-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Rooney, who is a big boxing fan, praised the Gypsy King's performance and suggested that his services to boxing are worthy of the 34-year-old getting knighted. Speaking to TalkSPORT after the fight he said: "I think he’s the best we’ve seen in a long time, and I don’t think anyone will beat him. "I think he’s an absolute legend for what he’s done for boxing. He’s entertaining, his skills are incredible, his mentality is incredible. "If I’m being honest, I probably think he should be knighted because he hasn’t been afraid to go abroad, he’s won titles abroad, defended them abroad and he epitomises everything that boxing is." His words left Fury - who is also a United fan - delighted and in return, the Gypsy King gave the D.C. United boss a proposal as part of his preparations for his proposed upcoming fight against Oleksandr Usyk. "Wayne Rooney is a proper legend, and I grew up watching him as a youngster for England and [Manchester] United. So, that’s [an] amazing, amazing speech from him," the WBC heavyweight champion said. "He’s a massive boxing fan, he comes from a boxing family as well. So, hopefully, we can have a little spar in the future sometime. I do need someone smaller to prepare for Usyk. Wayne, if you’re listening, get on the blower, son!" One area he did disagree on is the idea that he should be knighted with Fury insisting that wouldn't be necessary. "As daft and bizarre as this might sound to people, I’m really happy with who I am," he added. "I’m the people’s champion. I don’t really need some accolade, award, or promotion to let me know who I am, what I do, or who I am inside. I know that I don’t really need a claim to say, 'Oh, he’s a Sir or he’s a whatever'" Related links:

• Tyson Fury’s heavyweight title fight with Oleksandr Usyk is ‘almost done’
• Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora eat Five Guys together after going to ‘war’
• Wayne Rooney responds to Cristiano Ronaldo interview comments