Wrexham’s James McClean Drops Bombshell Message to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Amid Limited Game Time
James McClean has sent shockwaves through Wrexham after revealing that his passion for boxing has now overtaken his love for football. The outspoken winger admitted he’s seriously considering trading his boots for gloves in the near future, as frustration grows over his lack of minutes on the pitch.
From Frustration to Fighting Spirit
The 35-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who joined Wrexham from Wigan Athletic in August 2023, confessed that recent months have been challenging as he’s struggled for regular game time.
“I’ve really enjoyed it here up until the last two or three months,” McClean said in an interview with Nicky Byrne. “It’s not been ideal — I’ve not been playing as much as I’d like. I’ve never dealt well with not playing, but now I channel that frustration into my training — mainly boxing.”
McClean admitted that his growing interest in boxing has helped him stay focused, adding that it has become more than just a hobby:
“A lot of my training now is boxing. I have a bigger passion for it than football. I’d rather watch boxing than football — it’s something I really want to experience and tick off my bucket list.”
Cardiff City Clash Turns Heated
McClean’s fiery nature came to the fore once again during Wrexham’s Carabao Cup derby clash with fierce Welsh rivals Cardiff City. Tensions reportedly boiled over after the final whistle, when a group of Cardiff fans allegedly entered a restricted players’ area and confronted the winger.
Eyewitnesses said McClean stood his ground and “handled himself well” before security intervened. An internal investigation has since been launched to determine how supporters managed to breach the secure zone.
For McClean, the incident only reinforced his belief that he might be better suited to the boxing ring than the football pitch.
Steps Toward the Ring
Over the past year, McClean has trained intensively in boxing and regularly shares clips of his sparring sessions and heavy bag workouts on social media. He even made a cameo in the professional boxing scene when he walked out alongside Michael Conlan at Dublin’s 3Arena for his bout against Jack Bateson in September.
The Wrexham winger confirmed that he’s already held discussions about entering the Misfits Boxing circuit — the influencer-led crossover promotion featuring YouTubers and ex-athletes.
“Misfits is giving people who aren’t professional boxers a chance to step into the ring,” he explained. “There have been talks, but I’m still under contract with Wrexham. It’s something I definitely want to do soon.”
Despite his current football commitments, McClean’s words hint that his next big stage might not be a football stadium — but a boxing arena.
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