Rio Ferdinand is propelling another career as a professional boxer, two years after he retired from football.
The 38-year-old's turn into the ring is being upheld by betting company Betfair, which reported the news on Tuesday.
The former Manchester United and England defender Ferdinand fills in as a TV pundit and he has his own clothing line.
"I'm doing this since it's a challenge," he said. "I've won titles and now I'm going for a belt."
He has posted a few videos on social media lately indicating him boxing and working with fitness coach Mel Deane.
The stars who exchanged games
Ferdinand, who won the Premier League six times and the Champions League once amid his time in Manchester, may follow in the strides of former Birmingham City midfielder Curtis Woodhouse and former Crystal Palace forward Leon McKenzie, who have beaten noticeably proficient boxers in the wake of stopping football. Woodhouse had plainly beaten the British super-lightweight champion.
Former England cricket chief Andrew Flintoff additionally propelled a boxing career subsequent to retiring, winning his lone ace session in December 2012 against American Richard Dawson at Manchester Arena on focuses.
It was Betfair who moved towards Ferdinand about doing the switch, and the wagering organization will enable him to fit the bill for his British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) permit before he starts preparing and contending.
The organization beforehand upheld Victoria Pendleton in her change from Olympic cyclist to Cheltenham move.
"At the point when Betfair moved towards me about this challenge, the opportunity to test myself in another sport was a genuine draw," Ferdinand included.
BBC general secretary Robert Smith said they had not yet gotten an application from Ferdinand for a boxer's permit.
"I was totally astonished," he said. "We don't have an application, so there's nothing to consider. Nor have we had any discussion with anyone in regards to this."
'It's ludicrous... he could get himself seriously hurt'
Ferdinand will be coached by Team GB mentor and previous WBC super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall.
"In all genuineness, I figure Rio can box as an expert given time. He has common power in his correct hand, is amazingly fit and is exceptionally energetic to realize which is empowering," Woodhall said.
"Style savvy, he's exceptionally raw and I'll need to build up this, which will require significant investment, yet he has all the common fixings, stature and achieve points of interest over boxers in his weight division and certainly can possibly win a title later."
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