Andrew Flintoff to become a professional Heavyweight Boxer - Cricket News Update
Following his retirement in 2010 from all forms of cricket, former England Captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Flintoff-c44360, has decided to put his gloves on - not as a cricketer but as a professional heavyweight boxer.
The swashbuckling all-rounder is training nowadays to feature for a new Sky TV series and will take part in a professional bout, possibly this November.
Boxing legend Barry McGuigan would take the former cricketer under his wings and believes the 34-year-old is just good enough to become a decent fighter with a ‘devastating’ right punch.
The three-part series ‘The Gloves are off…’ will document Flintoff’s preparations for the fight and will be screened later this year on Sky 1 while, the bout will be broadcast live on boxing channel BoxNation.
Considered as the second best all-rounder for England, after http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ian-Terence-Botham-c63998, Flintoff’s injury-marred career was finally cut short in 2009, due a long-standing knee complaint.
Nicknamed as ‘Freddie’, the former Lancaster played in 79 Test to score 3845 runs (31.77) and took 226 wickets (32.78). In 141 ODIs, he scored 3394 runs (32.01) and bagged 169 scalps (24.38).
The zenith of his playing career came when he played a major role in clinching the Ashes victories in 2005 and 2009.
“This is an amazing opportunity to try a sport that I love, to be tutored by a man I respect and admire and, at the age of 34, the chance to be a professional sportsman again.”
“It's a huge challenge - probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short time frame. I have a long road ahead and a lot of work in front of me. The stakes are high,” the former all-rounder said.
The general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC), http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Robert-Berry-Smith-c85629, said the former cricketer had not yet applied for a licence. nor the Board had received any application for the show.
However, the application process for the licence normally takes up to six weeks by which time, Flintoff could apply for a fight.
This is not the first time that a former cricketer has taken to the ring. Former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adam-John-Hollioake-c41925 had taken up cage fighting after he was declared bankrupt with a debt of £14m.
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