Celtic legend John Hartson had punch-up with Vinnie Jones to decide who was ‘hardest’

Jones, who starred in Mean Machine in London and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, sparred with the former hoops star, known as Big Bag John, to see who was the hardest.

Vinnie Jones, a former football bad kid who is now a Hollywood hardman, reportedly got into a brawl with Celtics icon John Hartson to determine who was the tougher.

Jones, who is well-known for his parts in Mean Machine in London and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, sparred with the former hoops great, also known as Big Bag John. The Welshman’s tenure at Parkhead from 2001 to 2006 made him a fan favourite.

The striker, who scored against Liverpool en route to the 2003 UEFA Cup Final, was well-known for his several valiant performances. According to the Record, he once demonstrated that he was just as much of a bother off the pitch as he was when he faced off against fellow Welsh international Vinnie Jones.

Retired attacker Terry Gibson mentioned the flight on the Undr The Cosh podcast. He stated: “Vinnie Jones and John Hartson, best of mates, had a proper fight to see who was the hardest.”

 

Chris Brown, the host, stated: “I’d like to witness that battle. Vinnie Jones and Hartson.”

Gibson added: “They ended up challenging each other to see who was the hardest and having a scrap in the street.” Gibson also played for Coventry City and Tottenham Hotspur.

When asked if an argument was the catalyst for a fight, the 61-year-old, who previously played for Manchester United and was Jones’ teammate at Wimbledon, said, “No, just to see who was the hardest.”

Our sister newspaper, The Mirror, reported on the brawl while Hartson was at Wimbledon before moving north to sign with Martin O’Neill.

They had eaten together at a restaurant in London’s upscale Mayfair neighbourhood when the altercation broke out, according to the April 28, 2000 report, and police were summoned to break it up.

Despite being left wounded and with ripped clothes, Hartson, who was 25 at the time, and Jones, who was 35, reportedly refused first aid efforts.

The incident happened after they had dinner with former Wimbledon manager Joe Kinnear, and neither of them reported it to the police.

It was a dispute over who was the more difficult of the two, according to a source at the time. They made the decision to fight it out. When they were outside, they crashed into one another. The cops were contacted at that point.

After the altercation, Jones, who is Hartson’s daughter’s godfather, shook hands with his friend before they parted ways. Scotland Yard at the time acknowledged that officers had been dispatched to the battle.

They reportedly know one other and departed the scene after resolving the issue, according to a spokesperson. Neither wanted to accuse the other.

“They refused medical assistance despite having minor scrapes and bruises. No more police action will be taken, and no other members of the public were involved. A training field incident in August 1998 also made headlines for 49-year-old Hartson.

In a videotaped incident, he dismissed West Ham teammate Eyal Berkovic, who went on to join with Celtic. The Israeli midfielder was kicked in the chin by Hartson. After the match, Berkovic stated: “My head would have been in the top corner of the net if it had been a ball.

“Hartson gave me a warning kick to the head, and it wasn’t a gentle one. It came from the heart. I have never saw him act in such a manner on a football pitch.

“There was a lot of blood on the floor where I was for ten minutes or so. If a player kicks someone else in the head and doesn’t become irritated, there must be a problem with them. The club would have had a different player.

During his playing career, Hartson also earned 51 caps for Wales and played for Luton Town, Arsenal, West Ham United, Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City.

He underwent chemotherapy for testicular cancer that had spread to his brain in 2009, two years after he had retired. He took home three league crowns, two Scottish Cups, and one League Cup during his tenure at Glasgow.

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