Rory McIlroy has firmly rejected the idea of switching from golf to boxing, citing his aversion to making a living by taking punches to the face.
During his attendance at the Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul fight after receiving the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, McIlroy was asked if he ever considered trying out boxing like some other athletes have done. He promptly responded, “No, absolutely not. I’m content with playing golf professionally. I have no desire to endure physical blows for a living.”
Before the fight, McIlroy, a self-proclaimed avid fight enthusiast, expressed his support for Joshua to defeat Paul, predicting an early knockout due to Joshua’s advantages in reach, height, and experience.
After his swift return to the United States following the awards ceremony, McIlroy shared details of his hectic schedule, flying from Manchester to attend the event before promptly flying back. Despite the rush, he left his trophy at home but appreciated the exciting past few days.
McIlroy resides with his wife, Erica Stoll, on Jupiter Island in Florida, while Stoll remained in the U.S. with their daughter, Poppy, during his trip to Manchester.
In his acceptance speech, McIlroy expressed gratitude to his family, the public, and the BBC for the recognition, highlighting 2025 as a year where his aspirations came to fruition. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by his family and credited them for his success, recognizing his wife and daughter as his pillars of support.
Looking forward, McIlroy expressed hope to compete for the award again next year, thanking everyone for the honor.