Pro footballer turns pro

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 26 Apr 2006, 16:07

Just seen this on the BBC, Grimsby midfielder Curtis Woodhouse is set to swap boots for gloves and embark on a career as a professional boxer at the end of the current season.
The former Sheffield United captain, 26, has been given the go-ahead by the British Boxing Board of Control.

Woodhouse, who has no previous ring experience, will be trained and managed by Dean Powell, who is connected to allegedly's Sports Network group.

hibbo · Post by **hibbo** » 26 Apr 2006, 16:55

one of my best mates plays for bury and although they r one of the poorest teams in the bottom tier of football he is still taking home decent money every week,i can only assume the guys decision is based on 1-not being offered a new deal[football] or 2-loves boxing that much because its surley not for money reasons as unless he plans on becoming the next ricky hatton thje two just dont compare.good luck to him all the same

chris s · Post by **chris s** » 27 Apr 2006, 08:31

Woodhouse should have made the grade as a footballer, but is a nutcase.

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 27 Apr 2006, 08:47

mercman wrote:Be interesting to watch his progress. However, there are quite a lot of examples of sportsmen from other fields that have tried to make a go of boxing and very few examples of many successes. Still, as hibbo says, good luck to him.

Anthony Mundine (Aussie Rugby League) made the grade - Mark Gastineau (American Football) didn't.

What was the name of the NBA player who (verbally) challenged Ali at one point? Cant remember. Wilt Chamberlin was it?

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 27 Apr 2006, 08:48

Carl Wright, the cruiser from Cov way - didnt he play rugby at a decent level before switching to boxing?

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 27 Apr 2006, 09:02

Didn't Joe Bugners son box then quit the ring and went on to play rugby at pro level?

Theres a couple of Jockeys that have boxed as well.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 27 Apr 2006, 09:14

TerribleTerry wrote:
mercman wrote:Be interesting to watch his progress. However, there are quite a lot of examples of sportsmen from other fields that have tried to make a go of boxing and very few examples of many successes. Still, as hibbo says, good luck to him.
Anthony Mundine (Aussie Rugby League) made the grade - Mark Gastineau (American Football) didn't.

What was the name of the NBA player who (verbally) challenged Ali at one point? Cant remember. Wilt Chamberlin was it?

Wasn't it Ed 'Too Tall' Jones?

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 27 Apr 2006, 09:18

No, Ed ‘TooTall’ Jones was a defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL who tried a few bouts of pro boxing but went back to the NFL.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 27 Apr 2006, 09:20

Woodhouse will just have to remember not to drop to the canvas and appeal to the ref when they touch gloves at the start.

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 27 Apr 2006, 09:29

here's one you guys will get easy enough.

Who was the British boxer who compiled a very respectable 18-1 record at heavyweight before switching to pro Rugby at age 22?

RobD · Post by **RobD** » 27 Apr 2006, 09:59

Kendall Gill a former NBA player is now trying a pro boxing career.

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 27 Apr 2006, 10:11

Yes, well done Mercman.

I don’t recall Bugner’s lad in rugby either

Roars Like Me · Post by **Roars Like Me** » 27 Apr 2006, 10:14

There is a jockey upto it at aswell Ian Clyde, he had some amateur experience though.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 27 Apr 2006, 10:28

mercman wrote:
Who was the British boxer who compiled a very respectable 18-1 record at heavyweight before switching to Rugby at age 22?
Adam Fogerty. I remember seeing his first couple of pro fights as a teenager and thought he was going to be a bit special. He seemed to get a bit disenchanted with boxing though. Pity. I've seen in a few films and on tv too - playing heavies, bodyguards and the like. I think that might be who topper 123 is thinking about too because I don't have any recollection of Joe Bugner's son playing pro rugby.

Cheers i must have got Bugner and Fogerty mixed up

E · Post by E » 27 Apr 2006, 11:28

mercman wrote:
Who was the British boxer who compiled a very respectable 18-1 record at heavyweight before switching to Rugby at age 22?
Adam Fogerty. I remember seeing his first couple of pro fights as a teenager and thought he was going to be a bit special. He seemed to get a bit disenchanted with boxing though. Pity. I've seen in a few films and on tv too - playing heavies, bodyguards and the like. I think that might be who topper 123 is thinking about too because I don't have any recollection of Joe Bugner's son playing pro rugby.

Fogerty was in Snatch as 'Gorgeous George'.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0283912/

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 27 Apr 2006, 12:19

mercman wrote:
Fogerty was in Snatch as 'Gorgeous George'.
Fogerty was also in 'Up and Under' with Samantha Janus. Another British heavyweight, Scott Welsh, was also in 'Snatch'.

Steve Collins worked the door in 'Lock Stock' - looked fairly convincing too!

BigEars · Post by **BigEars** » 27 Apr 2006, 16:50

Terence wrote: Didn't Roy Keane have an amateur career? 9 fights and 9 wins?

Correct , he was then forced to choose between boxing and football .

beagleboy · Post by **beagleboy** » 27 Apr 2006, 16:51

Fogerty once dropped Price Naz in sparring.
Woodhouse was banned from going in pubs by then manager Neil Warnock for getting in so many fights. Small but solid I wonder what he weighs.

states · Post by **states** » 27 Apr 2006, 20:11

On a minor topical note, whilst the snooker is on, it's possibly worth noting that Mark Williams did some fighting as an amateur. He wasn't bad, by all accounts.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is a big fight fan as well, apparently. I think members of his family were involved in the unlicensed scene in London.

Of course the other big name is Rooney: I think his younger brother made the quarters of the junior ABA's. Apparently he was quite talented himself was Wayne, until he realised he could make a shitload more by kicking a ball, rather than being punched in the face.

yiddo14 · Post by **yiddo14** » 28 Apr 2006, 03:56

states wrote:On a minor topical note, whilst the snooker is on, it's possibly worth noting that Mark Williams did some fighting as an amateur. He wasn't bad, by all accounts.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is a big fight fan as well, apparently. I think members of his family were involved in the unlicensed scene in London.

Of course the other big name is Rooney: I think his younger brother made the quarters of the junior ABA's. Apparently he was quite talented himself was Wayne, until he realised he could make a shitload more by kicking a ball, rather than being punched in the face.

Plus the fact he is destined to be an all-time great in footie.

Roy Keane was ok by all accounts,but given the choice I am pretty certain that people like Rooney,Keane could'nt reach the same heights in boxing as they did or will in football as these 2 guys play(ed) at the very top level.
With woodhouse it's different,he is a solid pro who will never reach such heights in football,so if he loves boxing and maybe has some ability then why not have a go at it?
Good luck mate

Loftgroov · Post by **Loftgroov** » 28 Apr 2006, 05:31

states wrote:
Ronnie O'Sullivan is a big fight fan as well, apparently. I think members of his family were involved in the unlicensed scene in London.

Yes, I remember him accompanying Takaloo to the ring in his fight with Wayne Alexander.

Lightsoot · Post by **Lightsoot** » 28 Apr 2006, 05:32

Woodhouse was a teriffic footballing prospect. Tigerish, good feet, box to box but his early fame went to his head and he discovered booze and birds.

Frequently gave it "do you know who I am?" when out on the town in Sheffield.

He's a hard little bastard though but with no boxing experience whatsoever I can see Woodhouse circulating his CV to Conference clubs in a year's time.

yiddo14 · Post by **yiddo14** » 28 Apr 2006, 07:54

Ben Carey wrote:Woodhouse was a teriffic footballing prospect. Tigerish, good feet, box to box but his early fame went to his head and he discovered booze and birds.

Frequently gave it "do you know who I am?" when out on the town in Sheffield.

He's a hard little bastard though but with no boxing experience whatsoever I can see Woodhouse circulating his CV to Conference clubs in a year's time.

Suprised newcastle are not interested already................sounds the like the type of charachter they usually spunk loads of cash on!!!

He has no boxing experience at all?

So from what i can gather,he is just a guy who fancies himself a bit on the pitch,in the street etc? It seems like a big step

Cuban Lion · Post by **Cuban Lion** » 28 Apr 2006, 09:40

any opinion boxingchat?

Arsenal · Post by **Arsenal** » 28 Apr 2006, 12:50

Ahhhh so many guys think themselves as a bit of a fighter because they beat the s**t out of someone after 10 opints and a kebab. Unfortunately boxing is different! You'll come up against someone who can hit back and who is trained to fight. I wouldn't be surprized he if quits and goes bqack to football after his first sparring session. If only I had a £1 for every guy who walked into my boxing gym fanying themselves as a bit of a fighter!