Rio Ferdinand’s move into professional boxing branded a ‘joke’ by Joe Calzaghe
Manchester United hero's incredible career change is not to the liking of the Welsh legend
UNDEFEATED retired boxer Joe Calzaghe believes Rio Ferdinand moving into professional boxing at the age of 38 is a joke.
Ex-Manchester United and England footballer Ferdinand announced recently that he will be embarking on a professional boxing career.
The Londoner is looking to get his boxing licence from the British Boxing Board of Control then have one fight.
However, Calzaghe sees Rio’s switch to boxing as nothing more than a publicity stunt.
He said: “I think it is a publicity stunt.”
Calzaghe said boxing is a serious business where you can get hurt and that the dangers can be life-changing.
He added: “It is not a game. Football is a game, cricket is a game. Boxing is a sport, you get hurt. For me it is a joke, I can’t see someone in another sport at the age of 38 coming to be a boxer.
“I don’t agree with that sort of thing.”
Calzaghe retired with one of the best records in professional boxing history.
The Welshman finished two years younger than Ferdinand is today at 36-years-old after beating fighters like, Chris Eubank, Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr with a final record of 46 wins and no defeats.
Calzaghe said he knew his career had come to an end when his body felt sore after training.
He said: “For me it was being the best and beating the best. (But) I knew that was the end.
“There is a fine line between going on too long. I achieved what I wanted to achieve.”
Calzaghe isn’t the only professional boxer to slam Ferdinand’s venture into the boxing world, with Tony Bellew saying the ex-footballer is “making a mockery of the sport”.
Although he does have some support from a handful of boxing legends, with the likes of Chris Eubank Jr, and Anthony Joshua reportedly offering to spar with Rio.
