Move over Conor McGregor, there's a new star English athlete ready to make his boxing debut.
Former English soccer player Rio Ferdinand has announced on social media that he will transition to a pro boxing career.
Ferdinand said that his new career isn't one he'll take lightly and is aiming to fight for a title. The former soccer star will be coached by Team GB coach and former WBC super middleweight champion Richie Woodhall.
"I'm doing this because it's a challenge," Ferdinand told BBC. "I've won titles and now I'm aiming for a belt."
Although Ferdinand seems to be serious about boxing, he still needs to deal with the issue of actually being licensed to box. The British Boxing Board of Control has said that they have yet to receive any formal applications from neither Ferdinand nor his representatives.
2017 seems to be a good year for athletes of other sports to become boxers. McGregor made his boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather on August 26 in what will surely be one of, if not the biggest paycheck of McGregor's career. In addition to McGregor, wrestling star Sexy Star, real name Dulce Garcia, made her pro boxing debut earlier this year.
Ferdinand is one of the most accomplished soccer players from England of this past generation. The 38-year old Ferdinand, who turns 39 in November, played in 81 games as a member of the English national soccer team and was a part of three FIFA World Cup teams. Ferdinand is also one of the most successful players in European club football history, having won the English Premier League six times as a member of Manchester United and the UEFA Champions League.
There is still no date as to when Ferdinand will make his boxing debut. Ferdinand retired from soccer in 2015 after a short stint with the club Queens Park Rangers.
