Sir Alex Ferguson 'slapped' Anthony Joshua training partner over David Beckham row
Sir Alex Ferguson walloped Anthony Joshua's sparring partner Frazer Clarke after he made a joke about the former Manchester United manager's infamous bust-up with David Beckham
Posted Monday, December 13, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk
Sir Alex Ferguson walloped Anthony Joshua's 6ft 6in sparring partner when he joked about his famous bust-up with David Beckham.
The 79-year-old Manchester United legend took a swipe at heavyweight boxer Frazer Clarke when he ribbed him for kicking a football boot in Beckham's face.
Clarke, 30, who won bronze in the 2020 Olympics super heavyweight division, said Fergie lashed out when he brought up the dressing room row.
The 15st fighter - tipped as a future champion - said: "It's a funny one actually.
"He said to me, 'I used to do a bit of boxing'.
"Then me and my stupid brain came back with, 'I thought you just used to throw things at people’.
"He just slapped me round the head. He genuinely did. He gave me a bit of a clip."
Clarke, who won all 65 of his amateur bouts including 25 by knockout, revealed the clash as he chatted to ex-Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman on Sky Sports’ Soccer AM show.
The man-mountain, who helps two-time world heavyweight champ Joshua, 32, prepare for title fights, admitted he was no match for Fergie who is known for his fiery temper and giving players the `hairdryer treatment’ - a verbal in-your-face onslaught.
The Scottish manager lashed out at Becks angry that he was not working hard enough in United's 2003 fifth round FA Cup clash with Arsenal which they went on to lose 2-0.
At half-time frustrated Fergie famously kicked a boot across the dressing room which hit the ex-England captain in the face and left him needing stitches to a cut above his left eye.
In his autobiography Sir Alex said of the incident: "Between us on the floor lay a row of boots.
"David swore. I moved towards him, and as I approached I kicked a boot. It hit him right above the eye.
"Of course he rose to have a go at me and the players stopped him.
"The next day the story was in the press. It was in those days that I told the board David had to go.
"The minute a Manchester United player thought he was bigger than the manager, he had to go."
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