Flintoff readies for a career in boxing
Source: Agencies |
September 7, 2012, Friday
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NEARLY two years after retiring from cricket, former England captain Andrew Flintoff is set to return to professional sport in the boxing ring.
The 34-year-old Flintoff is planning to enter his new sport as a heavyweight and compete in his first fight in Manchester in November, with his preparations documented in a three-episode TV series called "The Gloves Are Off."
"It's a huge challenge, probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short time-frame," said the 1.93-meter Flintoff, who is yet to be granted a boxing license. "I have a long road ahead and a lot of work in front of me. The stakes are high."
Flintoff is being trained by Barry McGuigan, who became world featherweight champion in 1985, and the former Irish boxer's son, Shane.
"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 become a professional sportsman again," Flintoff said.
His opponent hasn't yet been identified but a bout has been penciled in for November 30. Applying for a license from the British Boxing Board of Control usually takes up to six weeks.
Flintoff ended his 15-year cricket career in September 2010 during which he became England captain and a national icon after helping his country regain the Ashes from Australia in 2005. His heavy frame made him a dominant pace bowler and a powerful shot-maker, but led to several nagging knee injuries that eventually forced him to cut his career short after 79 tests and 141 one-day internationals.
Meanwhile, James Anderson is in line to make his first Twenty20 international appearance in nearly three years after being called up by England for the three-match series against South Africa.
The 30-year-old fast bowler, who is not in England's squad for the World Twenty20 tournament starting this month, was called up for the South Africa matches yesterday as a replacement for Steven Finn, who has a stiff back.
Anderson's last T20 international was in November 2009.
The 34-year-old Flintoff is planning to enter his new sport as a heavyweight and compete in his first fight in Manchester in November, with his preparations documented in a three-episode TV series called "The Gloves Are Off."
"It's a huge challenge, probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short time-frame," said the 1.93-meter Flintoff, who is yet to be granted a boxing license. "I have a long road ahead and a lot of work in front of me. The stakes are high."
Flintoff is being trained by Barry McGuigan, who became world featherweight champion in 1985, and the former Irish boxer's son, Shane.
"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 become a professional sportsman again," Flintoff said.
His opponent hasn't yet been identified but a bout has been penciled in for November 30. Applying for a license from the British Boxing Board of Control usually takes up to six weeks.
Flintoff ended his 15-year cricket career in September 2010 during which he became England captain and a national icon after helping his country regain the Ashes from Australia in 2005. His heavy frame made him a dominant pace bowler and a powerful shot-maker, but led to several nagging knee injuries that eventually forced him to cut his career short after 79 tests and 141 one-day internationals.
Meanwhile, James Anderson is in line to make his first Twenty20 international appearance in nearly three years after being called up by England for the three-match series against South Africa.
The 30-year-old fast bowler, who is not in England's squad for the World Twenty20 tournament starting this month, was called up for the South Africa matches yesterday as a replacement for Steven Finn, who has a stiff back.
Anderson's last T20 international was in November 2009.
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