Rio Ferdinand: Boxing promoter Mick Hennessy says ex-Manchester United man “should be commended” for stepping into the ring
Boxing promoter Mick Hennessy has welcomed former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand’s move into professional boxing.
The retired footballer is following in the footsteps of former Premier League players Curtis Woodhouse and Leon McKenzie who both took up boxing after retiring from football, as well as ex-England cricketer Freddie Flintoff who won in his first and only fight as a professional boxer.
Previous forays into the sport from novices such as Flintoff and most recently Conor McGregor have been criticised by some boxing commentators.
Yet Hennessy, who is promoting this weekend’s world heavyweight title fight between Hughie Fury and Joseph Parker, said 38-year-old Ferdinand deserved praise for taking the plunge.
Read more: Mayweather vs McGregor – What does boxing’s bizarre box office smash signal for the future of sport?
“It’s interesting, it’s fun,” Hennessy told City A.M. “Anyone who’s a big name and shows an interest in boxing and wants to step through them ropes, we welcome it.
“Fair play to him, stepping through those ropes is the hardest thing he’ll ever do in his life and he’s to be commended.”
Ferdinand, who is yet to apply for a boxer’s licence from the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC), will train with former WBC super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall.
The former Manchester United and West Ham defender’s career change is being funded by bookmaker Betfair, who first approached the retired England international with the idea.
Betfair previously backed Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton’s better-than-expected transition to a Cheltenham jockey.
“It’ll start off as a fun thing and who knows how good he can get?” said Hennessy, who has also promoted former world champion Tyson Fury.
“None of us know. But for now, we’ve got to take it for what it is. It’s entertaining and it’s interesting news.”