RIO FERDINAND is set to become a boxer for a television documentary.
The ex-Manchester United and England footballer will show what it takes to become a professional in the ring. And Ferdinand — who will make the announcement tomorrow — could have a bout at the end of the series in the same vein as cricketer Freddie Flintoff did back in 2012.
Flintoff was victorious in his only pro fight to date as he outpointed American boxer Richard Dawson.
Ferdinand, who is currently dating Towie star Kate Wright, has previously shared clips of him working out on the punch bag on Instagram, but the move will come as a big surprise in the world of sport.
He has called out the likes of Tyson Fury, David Haye and Tony Bellew over the last few months, but what appeared to be a joke could be set to become deadly serious.
On one video posted to social media showing him sparring, Ferdinand wrote: "Boxing Fridays.... left right left right... boom! Don't beat around the bush."
He then copied in Fury asking: "When you get your licence back? In another clip he called out the three UK boxing heavyweights, captioning it: "Boxing session this morning... heavyweight division up for grabs.
"Lets have it... you want some."
He was also ringside for Anthony Joshua's stunning KO victory against Wladimir Klitschko, and even entered the ring at the end to hold Joshua's belts.
Former Sheffield United and Birmingham professional footballer Curtis Woodhouse and ex-Norwich man Leon McKenzie have both made the switch to boxing.
But Ferdinand is not expected to make a career out of this, although he could well have a one-off bout at the end of his training camp. And Woodhouse took to Twitter to message Ferdinand as the news broke tonight (Monday).
Days after he won his comeback fight against Arvydas Trizno, 37-year-old Woodhouse tweeted: "No pressure champ" and tagged in Ferdinand.
Woodhouse then defended Ferdinand's choice, as he tweeted: "Wish Rio Ferdinand all the very best if he decides to give pro boxing a go.
"Who is anybody to say what he can or can't do. Live your life."
From The Sun
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