Ferdinand, who won 81 caps and made over 300 appearances for Manchester United, is an avid boxing fan and has admitted spending time boxing in the gym has helped clear his head a bit after losing his wife and the mother of his three children Rebecca Ellison to breast cancer in 2015.Rio Ferdinand changing the game ? pic.twitter.com/5FzqJoxEVD
— Goal (@goal) September 19, 2017
Ferdinand, who has become a respected TV pundit since hanging up his boots in 2015, is due to make what has been termed "a major news announcement" on Tuesday but will need to convince the British Boxing Board of Control he merits a licence.Rio Ferdinand to box to channel his grief after death of his wife. @marthakelner's report https://t.co/ZORdakSWhr
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) September 18, 2017
He wouldn't be the first footballer to turn to a career in the ring as former Sheffield United striker Curtis Woodhouse won the British light-welterweight title in 2012.It's happening... Can’t wait to get started with the team @betfair have put together, @richiewoodhall and @meldeane ? #DefenderToContender pic.twitter.com/s6AmLRo7DN
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) September 19, 2017
Former Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand is launching a new career - as a professional boxer.
Full story: https://t.co/rMkXRnuVVN pic.twitter.com/yPnHjAySgu— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 19, 2017