Boxing champ hits Carragher with Chinese Super League comeback prank

The prospect of Jamie Carragher aiming for a playing comeback in the Chinese Super League was soon left on the canvas after the ex-Liverpool and England defender revealed a former boxing world champion had been at the heart of a social media prank.

Carragher, 38, set tongues wagging on Tuesday after a post on his Twitter account appeared saying he was coming out of retirement.

The post was accompanied by emojis of the Chinese flag and a bank note, suggesting he had designs on joining Carlos Tevez and Oscar among the one-time Premier League stars earning a fortune in the CSL.

Official announcement, delighted to announce I am coming out of retirement, looking forward to getting back on the pitch. 

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) January 17, 2017

The Anfield favourite quickly put paid to fanciful speculation, claiming his account had been hacked – even if the successful Sky television pundit was still cheekily open to a payday.

Official announcement, delighted to announce I am coming out of retirement, looking forward to getting back on the pitch.

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) January 17, 2017

A little detective work from Carragher, a keen boxing fan, actually revealed he had been on the end of a sucker punch from a skilled proponent of the noble art.

It turns out hitting the gym with ex-WBO light-middleweight champion Liam Smith, who was among Britain’s legion of world beltholders before a knockout loss to pound-for-pound superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez last year, can be a painful experience in more ways than one.

Not hacked after all! @LiamBeefySmith & a few rats in the gym got into my Only positive it may alert the clubs I’m available