Rio Ferdinand to become a boxer, former footballer confirms turn to pro-boxing

Former England and Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has announced a new career in professional boxing. 

Ferdinand has linked up with former world champion Richie Woodhall and is targeting a title within a year. Ferdinand is already in training to gain his British Boxing Board of Control licence and is planning a series of fights over the next 12 months.

He posted a tweet confirming his decision.   

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

It is also understood Ferdinand’s training will be filmed for a TV documentary series and that he will aim to have his first fight as its concluding episode.

The former Manchester United and England defender has posted training videos to his social media accounts in recent months jokingly challenging professional boxers such as Tyson Fury, Tony Bellew and David Haye to a fight.

Ferdinand, who won 81 caps and made over 300 appearances for Manchester United, is an avid boxing fan and has admitted spending time boxing in the gym has helped clear his head a bit after losing his wife and the mother of his three children Rebecca Ellison to breast cancer in 2015.

He wouldn't be the first footballer to turn to a career in the ring as former Sheffield United striker Curtis Woodhouse won the British light-welterweight title in 2012. Woodhouse tweeted his best wishes to Ferdinand. 

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 ya life

— Curtis Woodhouse (@curtiswoodhous8) September 18, 2017