Former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff will make a return to the sporting arena, but not as a cricketer; the all-rounder announced his sensational plans to become a professional boxer.
Flintoff, who retired from cricket in 2009 after repeated injuries, will train for a professional heavyweight fight at the Manchester Arena on November 30, with his training chronicled into a television documentary. Flintoff will be trained by former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan and his 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.
"It's a huge challenge -- probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short time-frame.
"I have a long road ahead and a lot of work in front of me. The stakes are high."
McGuigan added: "It is an enormous undertaking to have a professional fight having no experience whatsoever. It is even more demanding when you're a legend in another sport.
"The pressure for Freddie, myself and my son is phenomenal given the little time we have. But I'm convinced Freddie will make a successful pro debut as a boxer."
Flintoff will need to apply for a boxing license before he is allowed to fight and Robert Smith, the general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, said the former cricketer was yet to approach them for a license. "Andrew Flintoff has not applied, nor has he been interviewed by anyone from the British Boxing Board of Control," smith is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
"An application can take three to four weeks or longer depending on the circumstances. He will have to pass medicals and there are measures in place to see whether an applicant can actually box."
