Forgotten Premier League winner unveils Paddy Pimblett as 'new training partner'
Danny Simpson's first fight as a boxer was against YouTuber Danny Aarons in August, with judges scoring the contest as a split draw - and now he is stepping up his preparations for his next fight
by Oli Gamp · The MirrorFormer Leicester City star Danny Simpson has revealed UFC star Paddy Pimblett will be his new training partner after the Premier League winner made his boxing debut.
Simpson etched his name into Premier League history after being part of Leicester's stunning title triumph in 2015-16 but has since retired from football and taken up boxing.
His first fight on the Misfits boxing card was against YouTuber Danny Aarons in August, with judges unable to separate the pair after scoring the contest as a split draw.
Simpson was a relieved man that the fight didn't end in defeat after agreeing to wager his Premier League winners' medal against Aarons, who also bet his YouTube play button award for reaching 1million followers.
Now the 37-year-old is upping the ante in his fighting career after announcing he will begin working with UFC fighter Pimblett as he bids to build on his draw against Aarons.
Pimblett is one of UFC's most exciting fighters after enjoying a run of eight straight victories. The Liverpudlian secured an impressive win over King Green in July and is currently taking some time out of the ring.
And it looks like Paddy "The Baddy" will be helping prepare Simpson for his next bout after the former right-back posted a picture of the pair together on social media.
Simpson uploaded the picture on Instagram, showing the pair smiling while enjoying some drinks on a night out. He wrote: "Meet my new training partner," while tagging Pimblett.
He is still looking for a new opponent but has teased a rematch with Aarons after an even contest that he believes he won. Speaking after his fight this summer, he said: "I'm obviously going to say that I thought I nicked it. This week has been one of the craziest weeks of my life.
"We said we were going to have fun in here and I think we did. I think Danny knows I tried to jump in last minute and tried to do everything I could in the five weeks. Maybe I'll have the chance to have a full camp and I'd love to come back and have another go."
Simpson started his career with Manchester United but only played three times for the Red Devils and ended up starring for a total of 10 clubs, including Newcastle United, QPR and Huddersfield Town.
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