The legendary clash between Manu Tuilagi and Chris Ashton is now the most famous punch-up in rugby history, captivating fans worldwide.
Leicester: So, you remember that wild moment when Manu Tuilagi went after Chris Ashton? It’s become legendary in rugby circles. Seriously, it’s probably the most famous punch-up ever.
This brawl has racked up millions of views online. Just on YouTube, it’s over 2.5 million, and TikTok has added another three million. Everyone loves a good scrap, right?
The whole thing kicked off when Tuilagi clothes-lined Ashton off the ball. Ashton, not one to back down, shoved Tuilagi in the back of the head. That’s when things really heated up.
Tuilagi didn’t hold back. He landed three big punches, and somehow, Ashton stayed on his feet through it all. But the refs? They decided to hand out yellow cards to both players. Talk about a strange call!
Commentators were outraged, saying Ashton got a raw deal. They called it “disgraceful” and “rubbish.” Tuilagi ended up with a five-match ban, which meant he missed the Premiership final. Ouch!
Fast forward to last year, and Tuilagi was on a lie detector with Craig Doyle. When asked if he’d ever box Ashton for charity, he said no, and the machine confirmed he was telling the truth. But when asked if Ashton would beat him in a boxing match, he said yes. Classic!
Ashton even popped up on a podcast recently, where UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall praised him for staying upright during the whole ordeal. It’s a wild story that just keeps getting better.
Former Tigers CEO Simon Cohen shared a funny tidbit too. He said one player actually criticized Tuilagi’s punching technique in the locker room afterward. Apparently, he was on his tiptoes or something. Who knew there was a right way to throw a punch?
