Rio Ferdinand to become pro boxer at 38

[stujones]

I think if Freddie Flintoff can get a licence then so will Rio - my strong suspicions are that although it won't be made public it will be strictly a one off and therefore the BBBoC will be a bit less strict in handing him a licence. They'll know his opponent and assess if it is an even match - if it is it will be sanctioned.

For anyone who actually thinks Rio is in for more than one fight. Richie Woodhall (Rio's coach) signed up for this BEFORE knowing the celebrity was Rio. Much like McGuigan, Woodhall is a celebrity coach (as in someone who is recognisable in his own right - thus making it more credible for the TV side of things). It is clearly a TV reality show, and Rio was approached as opposed to Rio himself making the phone calls etc.

[mickey1975]

Why is it a charade?

Rio Ferdinand will be in much better shape than some people who are given a license.

Our great friend Tijuana1 had his license revoked for age reasons, not much older than Rio... A lifelong boxer.

He doesn't have the name and money Rio does.

Let's be honest, he isn't making a crack at the British title.

He only asked for one more fight on a home show. Went MBC, got his win and packed in.

[Mimmy]

Just because Rio is 38 you cannot deny him a licence if he passes all tests that are a required element by the BBBoC. Even if Rio is only having 1 fight or going on to make this a career he has the right to at least attempt the pro ranks. I think people are looking into this a bit too much in regards to his ability. Yes he has had no amateur experience but this is a one off fight and if he passes all medical requirements then he should be permitted to fight.

Rio has as much chance of being killed by lightening than getting seriously injured by a hand picked non puncher. When the opponent is named we will have a better grasp of the whole situation and the chances of Rio.

Good luck to a guy who is going to train and go through all the scrutiny that the BBBoC put him through. Its not as if he is a fat slob in poor health. Rio at 38 will be fitter than a lot of 20 year old boxers that fight on the circuit here and abroad.

[REEVE]

Hopefully the board see sense and don't grant rio a license the sport is getting cheapened first flintoff the the mcgregor "fight" now this it's a total joke tbh


.....I know a 38 year who had 5 pro fights in 2001/02 he was 2-3(1) and over 100 amas, few month back he wa going to apply for license but told not to bother due to his age - so if rio gets a license it's a shambles

[Mimmy]

Hopefully the board see sense and don't grant rio a license the sport is getting cheapened first flintoff the the mcgregor "fight" now this it's a total joke tbh


.....I know a 38 year who had 5 pro fights in 2001/02 he was 2-3(1) and over 100 amas, few month back he wa going to apply for license but told not to bother due to his age - so if rio gets a license it's a shambles

The licence is a foregone conclusion. Without a licence there is no tv show. The tv show is already in process.

[REEVE]

Hopefully the board see sense and don't grant rio a license the sport is getting cheapened first flintoff the the mcgregor "fight" now this it's a total joke tbh


.....I know a 38 year who had 5 pro fights in 2001/02 he was 2-3(1) and over 100 amas, few month back he wa going to apply for license but told not to bother due to his age - so if rio gets a license it's a shambles

The licence is a foregone conclusion. Without a licence there is no tv show. The tv show is already in process.

I know mate, bad crack isn't it

[Mimmy]

Hopefully the board see sense and don't grant rio a license the sport is getting cheapened first flintoff the the mcgregor "fight" now this it's a total joke tbh


.....I know a 38 year who had 5 pro fights in 2001/02 he was 2-3(1) and over 100 amas, few month back he wa going to apply for license but told not to bother due to his age - so if rio gets a license it's a shambles

The licence is a foregone conclusion. Without a licence there is no tv show. The tv show is already in process.

I know mate, bad crack isn't it

I dont know if its a bad thing. If it ends in disaster then its a very bad thing, I just feel that the opponent will be hand picked and will know the script. But saying that I really hope its a raw young lad from this country who takes boxing seriously and is not going in there to be beat.

As of yet not sure what the weight class will be, possibly light heavyweight? his weight will be around 13 1/2 stone, 14 stone somewhere around that.

[danconnollyeire]

Why doesn't he have an amateur fight?

Isn't the ages limit 35 for amateurs?

Side note... he's said he wants to win a title

[Oiky]

Madness

[leejonesjnr]

Why doesn't he have an amateur fight?

Isn't the ages limit 35 for amateurs?

Side note... he's said he wants to win a title

No it's 40

[samwbr]

Hopefully the board see sense and don't grant rio a license the sport is getting cheapened first flintoff the the mcgregor "fight" now this it's a total joke tbh


.....I know a 38 year who had 5 pro fights in 2001/02 he was 2-3(1) and over 100 amas, few month back he wa going to apply for license but told not to bother due to his age - so if rio gets a license it's a shambles

The licence is a foregone conclusion. Without a licence there is no tv show. The tv show is already in process.

The board said they have had not so much as a phone call about it.

[Coco]

Age is a big issue when applying for a license under normal conditions.

[Coco]

Didn't mark prince have to go down the MBC route because he was too old to be licensed?

[northern]

Good luck to him. He's lost his wife & mum to cancer & this might be the therapy he needs.

He's also from SE London so obviously as hard as nails

Love that attitude, taken York kids all over the country and some genuinely think because we are from a nice city, they'll be wimps! A ring is a ring, that's what all our lads get taught.

That's York boxing club isn't it ? Haven't seen much of them since I last saw Harry Matthews when he fought Eubanks Jr a few years back and kept an eye on his fight against Fitzgerald.

how's the club doing now ? Any names to keep an eye out for ?

[Mimmy]

The boxing documentary will be shown on Sky TV which isnt a suprise. Also Rio will enter the ring wearing a long red silky robe with his name on the back in big white lettering.

Tell ya, its all sorted out!

[Syntax Error]

He'll be David Haye's next opponent after Bellew 2!

[PredatorHayds]

Heard they were looking at Boone as a opponent.

Hope not. Unless he's paid off he'd annihilate Rio.

[littlepug]

Heard they were looking at Boone as a opponent.

Hope not. Unless he's paid off he'd annihilate Rio.

fecking hell that's suicide !

[PredatorHayds]

Heard they were looking at Boone as a opponent.

Hope not. Unless he's paid off he'd annihilate Rio.

fecking hell that's suicide !

Obviously a non-boxing man involved threw that name out.
Can't see the board or Woodhall accepting that fight.
That level of opposistin is ridiculous for Rio IMO

[littlepug]

Heard they were looking at Boone as a opponent.

Hope not. Unless he's paid off he'd annihilate Rio.

fecking hell that's suicide !

Obviously a non-boxing man involved threw that name out.
Can't see the board or Woodhall accepting that fight.
That level of opposistin is ridiculous for Rio IMO

people outside of the game just haven't got a clue have they ?

[Oiky]

fecking hell that's suicide !

Obviously a non-boxing man involved threw that name out.
Can't see the board or Woodhall accepting that fight.
That level of opposistin is ridiculous for Rio IMO

people outside of the game just haven't got a clue have they ?

Na they ain't, it's worrying

[littlepug]

Obviously a non-boxing man involved threw that name out.
Can't see the board or Woodhall accepting that fight.
That level of opposistin is ridiculous for Rio IMO

people outside of the game just haven't got a clue have they ?

Na they ain't, it's worrying

its also a bit offensive, cheeky feckers think they can just come and dip their toe into the game whenever they like, they don't seem to realise the lads they watch on the telly (making it look easy) have years of experience and thousands of gym hours in the bank

[mickey1975]

Good luck to him. He's lost his wife & mum to cancer & this might be the therapy he needs.

He's also from SE London so obviously as hard as nails

Love that attitude, taken York kids all over the country and some genuinely think because we are from a nice city, they'll be wimps! A ring is a ring, that's what all our lads get taught.

That's York boxing club isn't it ? Haven't seen much of them since I last saw Harry Matthews when he fought Eubanks Jr a few years back and kept an eye on his fight against Fitzgerald.

how's the club doing now ? Any names to keep an eye out for ?

No, we have four, plus two unlicensed and pros. Harry's not from York, although nearby, and isn't very popular on the local scene to say the least... He's extremely tough, though, and if he just admitted his level would get a lot of respect. He is still genuinely convinced he'll win the British! We have loads of good juniors, some exceptional. York ABC is still the number one but Henry's is catching up! I'm at Jorvik and have one kid capable of anything but just won't train. It's so frustrating. Kids... I know a kid from Vulcan in Hull, beat Hope Price, the European junior champion and no 4 in the world, then went out the next week and blew his fingers off with a firework!

[Mimmy]

I know its very early days so looking at opposition is a bit daft really but I would like to think that the people behind Rio are sensible in picking an opponent. I would like to see this a all British affair as it will generate a bit of cash for all concerned with tv contracts for the docu and media coverage to the build up. So it would be nice to give some of the cash to the opponent who in my opinion should be from this country as there are plenty of boxers looking for work

If this is a light heavyweight clash I would hope they pick someone like this fella.

Matty Parr

http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/724721

Who has a decent record for a debutant to face. I think this is the level Rio's team should be looking at. Not a effing wobbler from America.

[danconnollyeire]

lol Boone?! The man who destroyed Stevenson, floored Ward, pushed Vera close, nearly beat Kovalev, beat Willie Monroe Jr

Boone could've been an elite fighter if he wasn't such a bum