I went into boxing because I wanted to prove myself - Rio Ferdinand
- Rio Ferdinand is being helped to get a British Boxing Board of Control licence
- The former defender turned boxer is looking to go professional in the sport
- Ferdinand says he wants to prove himself in a new sport after a successful football career
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has spoken on his decision to take up the daunting challenge of becoming a professional boxer at the age of 38.
Ferdinand will first need to qualify for a British Boxing Board of Control licence and he is being helped to achieve that by Betfair.
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Speaking about his decision to take up the daunting challenge, Ferdinand said: "When Betfair approached me about the Defender to Contender challenge, the chance to prove myself in a new sport was a real draw.
"Boxing is an amazing sport for the mind and the body. I have always had a passion for it and this challenge is the perfect opportunity to show people what's possible.
"It's a challenge I'm not taking lightly, clearly not everyone can become a professional boxer, but with the team of experts Betfair are putting together and the drive I have to succeed, anything is possible."
The former footballer told Standard Sport he misses competition as a team player and as a defender going one-on-one against a striker
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Ferdinand added: "I'm into keeping fit and one of the big things I have missed since retiring from football in 2015 is the competition, whether it be as a team or as an individual going one-on-one against a striker.
"I just miss that chemical that comes out of you. I have not been able to replace it. This is a great way to get that back. I'm doing this for many reasons. I'm doing this to test myself as a man, as a human being."
On the other hand, Legit.ng recently visited the family house of boxing king Anthony Joshua in Sagamu, Ogun state Nigeria;
Source: Legit.ng
