Ex-soccer star Rio Ferdinand retires from boxing before first fight after being denied licence

By Daily Sports on May 4, 2018

Rio Ferdinand has retired from boxing before he has even fought a bout after being refused a professional licence.

After notifying the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) of his "intention to apply for a licence", Ferdinand said he had "received confirmation" that they would "not be reviewing my application at this point in time".

In a statement on Facebook, the 39-year-old said that to "not be given the chance to demonstrate my ability to the BBBoC through the standard assessment afforded to others is hard to take".

He is hanging up his gloves with a "heavy heart".

The former Manchester United and England footballer, who announced his decision to try for a pro licence last September, said he had been "training 4-5 times a week" with the aim of competing in Betfair's Defender to Contender challenge.

The sportsman, who has worked as a football pundit since retiring from the game, added that he had "never felt better physically or mentally".

"To say I'm disappointed by this decision is an understatement," he wrote.

Underlining that disappointment, he said boxing had given him a "new focus & drive". He will continue to do it as part of his fitness regime.

"Boxing is a physically tough, demanding and dangerous sport," he said.

"I always gave it my utmost respect and never underestimated how difficult it would be.

"I wanted to show people that it's OK to have a goal and strive to reach it.

"It's important to approach everything with success in mind, and to give it your all, but sometimes things work against you."

Ferdinand thanked "Richie, Mel and the countless others who have dedicated their time to my boxing development over the past six months". (Sky Sports)

Photo shows Ferdinand

Source Daily Sports

Posted May 4, 2018


 

You may also like...
Nigeria Qualify for 2019 Fifa U20 World Cup...

Federation Cup: Insurance to face Wikki in round...

NWFL Premiership Week 7 Preview: Ibom Angels, Abia...

Ghana/Nigeria W/C Play-Off: Tension Mounts

AFCON 2024: Jose Peseiro And His Super Eagles,...

Carlos Alberto: Brazil legend dies aged 72 after...

 

Latest News CAF awards: Ajibade, Nnadozie, Edo Queens bag nominations Lagos SWAN, PAACC Hold SWAN Day At Golfview Hotels, Ikeja Crisis looms as Eagles’ form raises AFCON, W’Cup concerns Ex-Nigerian Super Falcons player handcuffed, children assaulted as police storm Anambra Football Academy Sports NFF, teammates console Nwabali on father’s death Abia Govt hails Nigeria Olympic Committee over staging an admin course in Umuahia Libya deliver Eagles 2025 AFCON ticket Eagles battle Cheetahs for 2025 AFCON ticket Yellow Greens gear up for T20 W’Cup qualifiers Tyson tips Fury to beat Joshua Sadiq absent as 22 Eagles train in Abidjan Eagles’ striking trio hot for Cheetahs, Amavubi clashes

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,163 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,307 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,370 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,015 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,948 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,904 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,742 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,311 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,366 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,054 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,506 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,931 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media