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London - Former England star Rio Ferdinand has confirmed that he will step inside the ring and have a go at becoming a professional boxer just two months away from his 39th birthday.
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.
"I'm doing this because it's a challenge," he said as quoted by the BBC website.
"I've won titles and now I'm aiming for a belt."
Since hanging up his boots in 2015, Ferdinand has become a respected TV pundit since made the announcement on Tuesday via social media.
However, not much details was given as to who his first fight will be against and whether or not he has a boxing licence from the British Boxing Board of Control.
The former United captain 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.
Ferdinand is set to be coached by former WBC super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall.
A post shared by Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) on
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
