EXCLUSIVE
Phil Bardsley has eyed up former boss Paolo Di Canio as his next opponent after already knocking out Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.
The ex-Sunderland right-back, who floored the England icon during a playful kitchen spar in 2015, was briefly coached by Di Canio at the Stadium of Light 11 years ago.
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At the time of the Italian's arrival, the Black Cats were embroiled in a relegation battle against Wigan in a fight to avoid the final spot in the bottom-three.
The Latics eventually were dumped out of the Premier League following a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal - just days after they shocked Manchester City to win the FA Cup final.
It was a result that Bardsley celebrated into the early hours of the morning, with a picture of him laying on the floor in a casino surrounded by £50 notes rubbing Di Canio up the wrong way.
Bardsley was subsequently banished from the training ground and was left out of the final matchday squad to face Tottenham.
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The former United defender has still not forgiven the West Ham cult hero, and would welcome a dust-up in rapper and YouTube star KSI's Misfits Boxing promotion - who have also contacted Rooney over a possible fight - to settle their differences.
Appearing on The Sports Bar alongside presenter Majestic, Bardsley told talkSPORT: "I actually had a few calls about doing Misfits.
"I'd never say no to it, I think it'd be good because it would give you a reason to train.
"I don't need a reason, but it's something to get really fit for instead of just ticking over in the morning."
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Pressed on who would be his ideal opponent, Majestic questioned whether he would trade blows with Di Canio.
To which Bardsley stated: "Oh I'd love to fight him, I hate that fella."
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He then explained his fallout with Di Canio, and how their relationship soured following his celebratory night out.
"I was in the right, but I was also in the wrong.
"We had a bit of a night out and [when] alcohol is involved, there's always an issue.
"Arsenal played Wigan, if Arsenal won, Wigan went down, we stay up, so we all go to the pub to watch the game.
"Obviously we have a good night, and I ended up a bit worse for wear in a casino with lobsters around me, £50 notes, I've won a few quid, like an idiot.
"It was one of the most embarrassing things of my life, hands down! The day after we get to training, we're all probably smelling of booze and excited because we stayed up.
"It's huge for the club, huge for the staff, we know how important it is financially for people to keep their jobs and redundancies and stuff like that, so we had a good night, we knew how important it was for everyone around the club.
"Obviously the picture got posted around, he [Di Canio] got wind of the picture and he dragged me and Matt Kilgallon to the side and just told us we're with the fitness coach, and that was it really.
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"We didn't really have much contact after that and I was banished from the training ground, had to train on my own at certain hours.
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"It was difficult because I had so many friends at the club, I was there seven years, people meant a lot to me, I meant a lot to them, I did a lot for them off the pitch.
"So for them not being able to see me every day was difficult, it was a really tough time in my career and a really tough time for them to see the way I was."