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FOOTBALLERS are all the time inspired to consider what profession path they’ll take once they grasp up their boots.
Some select to enter teaching, others put money into property. Some resolve to knock lumps out of each other.
Marcin Wasilewski is about to start a profession in cage preventingCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
Former Leicester defender Marcin Wasilewski has become the latest ex-pro to swap shin pads for mouth guards.
The Pole, 40, retired from soccer final month and is about to enter the world of cage preventing.
A bout with ex-Bolton and Hearts defender Blazej Augustyn is even being lined up.
Right here, SunSport particulars the preventing careers of 5 different footballers who’ve turned to the ring.
Rio Ferdinand
England legend Ferdinand’s soccer profession introduced a number of glittering moments however his boxing days have been earlier than they actually began.
Sponsored by a betting firm to step into the ring in September 2017, the previous defender was jarringly denied a licence.
The British Boxing Board of Management deemed it ‘not helpful’ to permit Ferdinand his second profession.
And the Manchester United hero shortly known as time on his boxing comeback.
He mentioned: “It’s with a heavy coronary heart that I’m hanging up my gloves. To not be given the prospect to show my capability to the BBBofC by the usual evaluation afforded to others is difficult to take.”
Quick ahead to October 2020 and Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn has revealed his want to stage an Old Trafford showdown between Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.
Rio Ferdinand received a shedload of trophies as a footballerCredit score: Getty – Contributor
The ex-defender was unsuccessful in his try at a boxing professionCredit score: OnEdition
Katie Taylor
Arguably the world’s high feminine boxer, Taylor can also be a former Republic of Eire worldwide footballer.
The ex-winger starred for Peamount United within the late 2000s but missed her facet’s FAI Ladies’s Cup closing in 2009 to be topped Europe’s finest novice fighter.
Taylor received 11 caps for her nation, scoring twice, earlier than selecting to concentrate on boxing a decade in the past.
Former team-mate Marie Curtin would later inform the Mirror that Taylor ‘would have excelled to the best stage’ had she stayed in soccer.
Curtin added: “There have been no limitations. Her mindset is so sturdy and also you want leaders like that in your group to win.”
And Taylor fondly remembers her enjoying days, even recalling a crunching deal with that was posted on Twitter a few years in the past.
Katie Taylor performed plenty of occasions for the Republic of Eire ladies’s groupCredit score: Sportsfile – Subscription
Wayne Bridge
Hardly probably the most aggressive left-backs of his day, ex-Chelsea man Bridge confirmed the fireplace in his stomach with a stint in boxing two years in the past.
A Sport Aid conflict with Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews noticed the defender tackle a person 9 years his junior.
The three-round affair began tightly earlier than Bridge unleashed a barrage of blows.
Matthews hit the deck twice and but made it to the ultimate bell, at which level Bridge received on factors.
The previous England worldwide, who has additionally appeared on I am A Celeb, retired from soccer aged 33 in 2014.
His boxing profession ended with that one charity combat and he’s now mentioned to discuss with himself as a ‘stay-at-home dad’ for the 2 children he shares with spouse Frankie.
Wayne Bridge retired from soccer aged 33 as a consequence of an harm nightmareCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
He agreed to a charity contest for BBC Sport AidCredit score: BBC
Leon McKenzie
A star ahead for the likes of Norwich, Peterborough and Coventry on the pitch, McKenzie would later forge a good super-middleweight profession.
Having hung up his boots in January 2013, he pulled on the gloves simply six months later.
A debut win over John Mason at Bethnal Inexperienced’s historic York Corridor set him on a string of 9 fights with out defeat.
An English title combat with Jahmaine Smyle noticed McKenzie undergo a primary defeat earlier than he rounded off an 11-fight career with a nine-round loss to Cello Renda.
Most not too long ago, the ex-striker has joined forces with former England cricketer Steve Harmison for a talkSPORT podcast on sports activities stars’ post-retirement plans.
He mentioned: “For some time I used to be attempting to carry on to ‘former skilled boxer and footballer’. That was my identification. I’ve accepted my place now.”
Leon McKenzie helped Norwich win promotion to the Premier League in 2004Credit score: PA:Press Affiliation
The 42-year-old put collectively a formidable 11-fight boxing professionCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
Curtis Woodhouse
Few footballers have made the swap to boxing as convincingly as Woodhouse.
Birmingham paid £1million to signal the midfielder from Sheffield United in 2001 earlier than spells with Peterborough, Hull and extra.
Disenchanted with the sport, he stop aged 26 to spark a protracted profession within the ring.
An assault conviction halted Woodhouse‘s rise however he quickly started teaming each of his sports activities.
Over 31 fights, he claimed 24 wins and went 12 rounds with Frankie Gavin for the WBO Intercontinental welterweight belt in 2011.
The Driffield Destroyer received English and British stage titles earlier than retiring in 2017, and might now be discovered managing non-league Gainsborough Trinity.
Birmingham as soon as paid a seven-figure charge to signal Curtis WoodhouseCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
The midfielder teamed a non-league profession with plenty of boxing boutsCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
