Troy Deeney vs Gabby Agbonlahor: Aston Villa and Birmingham rivals to box at St Andrew’s

Forget Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia, talkSPORT has the ultimate heavyweight fight in 2024 – in Birmingham.

Birmingham City fan Troy Deeney and Aston Villa die-hard Gabby Agbonlahor will clash in the ring for their own derby at St Andrew’s.

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Deeney has declared he cannot wait to trade punches with Agbonlahor[/caption]

The duo, who have 121 Premier League goals between them, are rivals both on and off the pitch given their respective club allegiances.

With a score they are so desperate to settle, it’s set to be a mammoth bout, and the bitter fighting talk has already commenced.

talkSPORT host Jim White asked how the fight came about – just days after the pair starred as teammates to win the talkSPORT Trophy.

To which ex-Blues striker Deeney said: “Years in the making to be honest. Gabby is always talking nonsense, he’s a Villa fan as well and a Villa player so naturally we don’t like each other.

“We met probably about eight years ago in Miami and he really did my head in, so it’s just been continuous since then. Gabby just being Gabby annoys me personally, so it is what it is.

“It’ll be brilliant,” he added on the atmosphere. “There might be more fights in the crowd than actually me and Gabby cause that won’t last too long, I’ll deal with him quickly and put him to bed.”

When asked if he likes Gabby, Deeney, who has a Birmingham tattoo on his calf, insisted: “Nah not really, no one does. Gabby doesn’t like Gabby, so why would anyone else?”

“It’s good,” Deeney said on his training. “As you can see I’ve got a little bit more weight in the shoulders, I’ve got Rob McCracken training me, so I’ll be in good nick to take care of him.”

The former striker hasn’t even contemplated losing to his rival, saying: “Never, I could never lose to someone from Villa, it’s impossible.

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Agbonlahor is ready to put on the gloves and emerge as the king of Birmingham[/caption]

“I’ve spoken to Anthony Joshua, I’ve spoken to a lot of the boxers that I know, they told me if you think about losing, you’ve already lost. So, we don’t entertain that conversation.”

White then questioned if it’s an old score he’s desperate to settle, with Deeney stating: “Absolutely. It’ll be an easy one because Gabby is quite big, but he’s ropy on them ankles, so as soon as I hit him he’s gonna roll over.”

As for Agbonlahor, he believes it’ll be an easy night’s work, with the Villa cult hero insisting he cannot wait to trade punches with his rival.

Commenting on the dust-up, he said: “I’ve always liked boxing, I always boxed as a teenager, so I feel like I’ll be able to get the job done – for Villa.

“I feel like Troy won’t be able to handle the body shots, they will affect him, rib shots can end the fight, everybody goes home, happy days.”

Agbonlahor continued: “I’ve done a few sessions with Spencer Oliver, a very good coach, he’s been really impressed by my power.

“He actually said to me, ‘If you’re on the street, don’t ever punch anyone,’ because I’m that powerful, they’re like weapons my hands – ‘Save it for the ring and save it for the fight,’ he says.

Pressed for a prediction, he declared: “I think the first round may be a bit cagey, he might get excited with the Birmingham fans in the background wanting blood and a knockout.

“But I’m going to be taking my time, picking him off, and I’ve got that power, a nice little left hook into the ribs and the fight will be over.

“It’ll be another win for Aston Villa against Birmingham, as I never lost to them!”

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He even believes he will win over his haters at the home of his enemy, who will end up cheering for him should he leave Deeney sprawled across the canvas.

The former England international said: “I’ll get all the abuse of the Birmingham fans, but when I knock Troy out, rib shot, I’m sure the fans will then be quiet.

“But maybe they might turn and say, ‘You know what? He’s not all talk,’ and then they’ll be fans of Gabby.”