Rio Ferdinand to become pro boxer at 38

[Oiky]

Yea, as silly as it is, who is anyone to say what someone can or can't do with their life

[littlepug]

might not be such a bad thing if Rio gets hammered, it will send out a message to the rest of the celebs thinking about a boxing career that its not a sport to be taken lightly

[REEVE]

might not be such a bad thing if Rio gets hammered, it will send out a message to the rest of the celebs thinking about a boxing career that its not a sport to be taken lightly

I was thinking that mate...would it be such a bad thing for rio to take a nice body shot after 5 seconds, spew on the canvas, fight off, that might put others off

[Controversial]

Good luck to him. He looks in good shape so as long as he passes the medical then why not. Boxing is full of totally inept and out of shape "professionals"

[Mimmy]

I'm glad to see that there are others who are supporting Rios' decision. I was beginning to think that us old guys are worthy of nothing after a certain age.

[Shirow]

As to the Bernard Hopkins example, if he had come out of prison at 40 and applied for a licence I think it would and should have been a different story.

It is the professional bout thing that gets people's backs up. This could have been a positive story all round if the documentary was about how the intensity of boxing training helped him through the grieving process, how he loved the sport and how he admired the dedication and toughness of pro boxers.
It could culminate in a celebrity bout against another celeb, maybe Flintoff with Betfair money and ticket proceeds going to a cancer charity.

Who could criticise that?

Also being in shape isn't enough. Boxrec forum posters should know that. Should Mo Farah be entitled to a boxing licence because he is incredibly fit?

What do you think an elderly, long retired Glenn Johnson would do to Rio or and old, obese, shot James Toney?

I'm 44 and I toy with white collar boxers half my age every week in the Peacock Gym. I know all too well that many years of experience and boxer specific fitness trumps youth and gym bunny fitness.

[Syntax Error]

Freddie had McGuigan training him and still looked awful. Does Rio have any boxing experience at all?

Just give him six months & he'll be fine; after all, that's all Wilt Chamberlain would have needed in order to beat a near prime Ali.

[mickey1975]

As to the Bernard Hopkins example, if he had come out of prison at 40 and applied for a licence I think it would and should have been a different story.

It is the professional bout thing that gets people's backs up. This could have been a positive story all round if the documentary was about how the intensity of boxing training helped him through the grieving process, how he loved the sport and how he admired the dedication and toughness of pro boxers.
It could culminate in a celebrity bout against another celeb, maybe Flintoff with Betfair money and ticket proceeds going to a cancer charity.

Who could criticise that?

Also being in shape isn't enough. Boxrec forum posters should know that. Should Mo Farah be entitled to a boxing licence because he is incredibly fit?

What do you think an elderly, long retired Glenn Johnson would do to Rio or and old, obese, shot James Toney?

I'm 44 and I toy with white collar boxers half my age every week in the Peacock Gym. I know all too well that many years of experience and boxer specific fitness trumps youth and gym bunny fitness.

Like I said, I'd toy with him over 3x2's, I don't have much more in me.