John Hartson, the ex-Celtic striker, once found himself in a fierce confrontation with Hollywood tough guy Vinnie Jones, as the two former footballers decided to settle who was the toughest. The incident occurred in London, where the two men, both Welsh internationals, exchanged punches in a street brawl to determine who was the hardest. Hartson, nicknamed “Big Bad John,” had become a fan favorite at Celtic Park between 2001 and 2006, known for his gritty displays on the field, including a stunning goal against Liverpool en route to the 2003 UEFA Cup Final. But it was off the pitch that Hartson showed he could be just as formidable, going toe-to-toe with Jones, who had made a name for himself in films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and Mean Machine.
The story of the brawl resurfaced recently when former footballer Terry Gibson mentioned it on the Undr The Cosh podcast. Gibson recalled that Hartson and Jones, who were close friends, had a proper fight to see who was the hardest. Host Chris Brown remarked that it would have been an interesting match to witness. Gibson elaborated that the two men, after challenging each other, ended up scrapping in the street, with no argument or tension leading to the fight — they just wanted to see who would come out on top.
This bizarre showdown took place after the pair had enjoyed a meal together in London’s upscale Mayfair district. Hartson was 25 at the time, and Jones was 35. Following the altercation, both men were reportedly left bloodied with torn shirts, but neither required medical attention, and they both declined offers for first aid. No police complaints were filed, though officers were called to the scene to break up the fight. A source explained that the fight was simply a challenge to determine who was the tougher of the two. After the altercation, Jones, who was also godfather to Hartson’s daughter, shook hands with Hartson, and they parted ways amicably.
The incident, which made headlines in The Mirror at the time, was confirmed by Scotland Yard, which reported that the men were not involved in any further disturbances and that no further action would be taken. The police statement confirmed that the two men left the scene after resolving their disagreement, with only minor injuries to show for their tussle.
Hartson’s reputation for fiery behavior extended beyond this street fight. In 1998, while at West Ham, he made headlines for an infamous training ground incident where he kicked teammate Eyal Berkovic in the chin, an act that Berkovic later described as vicious and unprovoked. Despite the violent incident, Hartson had a successful career, playing for clubs like Luton Town, Arsenal, West Ham, Coventry City, and Norwich, and earning 51 caps for Wales. His time at Celtic was marked by success, winning multiple league titles and cups, and after retiring in 2007, Hartson bravely battled and overcame testicular cancer that had spread to his brain.
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