“Defender to contender.”
Rio Ferdinand will try to become a professional boxer. On Monday evening, The Telegraph reported that the former Manchester United and England defender will switch sports at the age of 38, and over two years since he retired from football.
Since stepping away from football, Rio has worked in the media for BT Sport and kept in phenomenal shape. Ferdinand has said the gym has helped him cope with the loss of his wife Rebecca, who died in 2015 from breast cancer aged just 34.
Rio will hope to emulate former football turned boxer Curtis Woodhouse, a former Sheffield United striker who went on to become the British light-welterweight champion.
Ferdinand will have to obtain a boxing license before stepping into the ring, and he’s set to have a press conference on Tuesday afternoon in London.
He confirmed his move into the sport with a tweet on Tuesday morning. Whether he’s a boxing champion in the making remains to be seen, but Rio definitely looks the part.
The caption in the image reads, “Defender to Contender”, and Rio tagged former boxer turned coach and pundit Richie Woodhall in the tweet, as well as Mel Deane, a former rugby player turned professional trainer.
It's happening… Can’t wait to get started with the team @betfair have put together, @richiewoodhall and @meldeane 🥊 #DefenderToContender pic.twitter.com/s6AmLRo7DN
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) September 19, 2017
Most people on social media wished the former defender well in his new pursuit.
https://twitter.com/MufcAhsan/status/910037153828278274
Ballsy mate, good luck 🙏
— Skafroz1 (@skafroz1) September 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/Lukebott76/status/910037134525988864
Good luck Rio 🔴 @rioferdy5
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone_) September 19, 2017
