Micah Richards further enhanced his status as football’s funniest pundit by competing with fellow former defender Oguchi Onyewu in an arm wrestling contest on Wednesday night.The ex-Manchester City and England defender travelled to New York City during the current international break to cover the 2022 World Cup qualifier between Costa Rica and the United States for CBS Sports.As well as Sky Sports and BBC Sport, Richards also works for the American broadcaster and is a regular pundit on Champions League nights alongside Jamie Carragher.CBS Sports’ light-hearted coverage of the Champions League has been a breath of fresh air over the past couple of years.Clips are regularly shared on social media so those living outside of America can also enjoy the funniest pre and post-match moments involving Richards, Carragher and other well-known pundits like Thierry Henry and Peter Schmeichel.CBS Sports host Kate Abdo occasionally pokes fun at Richards for never taking an opportunity to flex his muscles and talk of an arm wrestling contest with Onyewu, the former USA international, had been touted for a while.The two retired defenders finally went head-to-head after the US secured qualification for the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, despite suffering a 2-0 defeat to Costa Rica, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Carragher sends message to 'Big Meeks'
Carragher sent Richards the following video message shortly before the contest got underway: "This is a message to the main man, Big Meeks. Sorry I can't be there for you, Tiger. But the big man Meeks will not be beaten tonight.
"I know we've talked this up for a long time but I'm with you. You've got to do it for England, mate, you're on foreign soil. Don't let them bully you, don't let them mess you around. You are the main man, you're Big Meeks for a reason and you've got no problem putting him in his place and that's where he deserves to be! Do it for everyone at CBS in London. Do not let us down, or you will not be allowed back on the show!"
This was Richards' walk-out:
‘Gooch vs Big Meeks’ was adjudicated by an official arm wrestling referee - but who do you think got the upper-hand out of the two ex-footballers?
You can watch the funny video here:
Micah, what happened!?
Onyewu was backed up by Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies and Maurice Edu, who all went wild after their former US teammate secured an epic and deserved victory.
Dempsey, remember, was the man who Richards accused of saying to him during a competitive match: “You don’t know where I’m from, dawg!â€
A US victory presumable tasted particularly sweet for Dempsey, who said to Richards: “Man, respect, though. Being jet-lagged, coming over!â€
Will there now be a rematch on UK soil?
Watch this space.
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