James McClean, current Wrexham AFC player, has made headlines on social media not for his performance on the pitch, but for expressing his desire to step into the boxing ring against one of the sport’s most media-driven figures: Jake Paul. The 36-year-old Irish midfielder, known for his fiery personality and aggressive playing style, eagerly responded to the idea of facing the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

It all started with a statement from former coach Tony Pulis, who claimed that "nobody would want to fight McClean in the ring." The midfielder wasted no time reacting on Instagram: "Sign me up, let’s do it!" he wrote. He then added, "One full camp and I beat him."

McClean's confidence doesn’t come out of nowhere. He has frequently shared clips of his boxing training sessions, proving his passion for the sport goes beyond a casual hobby. His physical discipline has helped keep him in top shape, even after securing promotion to the Championship with Wrexham, the club famously owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Currently, McClean is enjoying some well-earned time off in Las Vegas, celebrating the team’s success with part of the squad. However, his mind seems more focused on boxing gloves than football boots—at least for now.

While the fight with Jake Paul remains hypothetical, McClean’s public challenge has already stirred buzz among fans. Some consider it wild, others see it as football’s answer to the celebrity boxing trend. One thing’s clear: the Irishman isn’t afraid of a challenge.

Meanwhile, Wrexham has their pre-season plans locked in for the 2025-26 campaign. The team will head to Australia, where they’ll face Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, and Wellington Phoenix in preparation for their return to England’s second tier.

Will we see James McClean swap boots for gloves? For now, the ball is in Jake Paul’s court.