Just over two years on from announcing his retirement from football, former England captain Rio Ferdinand has launched a sensational bid to become a professional boxer.
The former England captain, 38, will take on Betfair’s ‘Defender to Contender challenge’ in the hope of earning a fighter’s licence from the British Boxing Board of Control.
But Ferdinand is not the first sportsman — or even the first former footballer — to turn his hand to boxing.
Read below some of those who have tried to forge a career in the hardest game…
Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff
Flintoff, one of England’s finest ever all-rounders, made his name as a destructive fast bowler and middle-order batsman.
The 6ft 4ins cricketer tried to take those skills with him into the ring when he began boxing under the guidance of father-son duo, Barry and Shane McGuigan.
In November 2012 Flintoff made his professional debut, topping the bill against unbeaten American heavyweight Richard Dawson at the Manchester Arena.
Despite being floored in the second round, the ungainly Flintoff battled to a points victory in a fight labelled a ‘circus’ and ‘disgrace’ by some within the spot.
The former cricketer never fought again but he defended his foray into boxing, saying: ‘Some of the criticism I can understand, people want to respect this sport, that’s fine. But some of the cheap swipes I can’t be bothered with.
‘This was never about degrading boxing. We wanted to do it properly and show boxing for the fantastic sport it is. At times boxers don’t get the credit they deserve.’
Curtis Woodhouse
After former Sheffield United and Birmingham star Curtis Woodhouse fell out of love with football, he decided to pursue his ‘first love’ – boxing.
Having sparred in the gym after training without his manager’s knowledge, Woodhouse quit football altogether and made his ring debut in 2006.
Eight years and 26 fights later the 37-year-old achieved his dream by outpointing Darren Hamilton to win the British super lightweight title
Anthony Mundine
The son of legendary fighter Tony Mundine and a talented basketball player, Anthony Mundine is one of Australia’s most successful — and most controversial — multi-sport stars.
But it was in rugby league that he originally made his name. Having made his professional debut at 18, he was poised to become the NRL’s biggest earner when he gave up the game altogether at 25.
With concerns over racism in rugby, the Muhammad-Ali-inspired Mundine took up boxing and made his debut in 2000.
He was a national champion within five fights and challenging for a world title within 11 contests. He was beaten by Sven Ottke to the IBF super middleweight crown in 2001 but went on to win the WBA strap two years later.
