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Tag: Ferdinand

  • Tyson Offers to Coach Rio Ferdinand in Boxing

    Tyson Offers to Coach Rio Ferdinand in Boxing

    Tyson Fury has offered to be coach for Rio Ferdinand who is getting set for his first bout later in the year.

    The Manchester United legend has fixed his gaze on winning a title as a professional boxer, this Fury said is possible but suggested that the former footballer should seek expert trainer as he switch to boing.

    Team GB trainer, Richie Woodhall, is already on board to help train Ferdinand while the Brit’s personal trainer, Mel Deane, will continue to work with Ferdinand.

    Questions have been raised about the legitimacy of the challenge and the possible safety issues with a 38-year-old becoming a pro boxer, but Ferdinand explained it was an opportunity he could not turn down.

    ‘When Betfair approached me about the Defender to Contender challenge, the chance to prove myself in a new sport was a real draw,’ he said.

    ‘Boxing is an amazing sport for the mind and the body. I have always had a passion for it and this challenge is the perfect opportunity to show people what’s possible.

    ‘It’s a challenge I’m not taking lightly – clearly not everyone can become a professional boxer – but with the team of experts Betfair are putting together and the drive I have to succeed, anything is possible.’

    Ferdinand must obtain a boxing licence before he can start competing in the pro game.

    Meanwhile, Fury is currently without a boxing licence and cannot fight himself until his issues with the UK Anti-Doping Agency is resolved.

    But the 29-year-old is hoping to return to boxing at some stage and believes he can help Ferdinand prepare for his professional debut.

    He said: ‘Looking forward to seeing this from Football star to boxing star, if you need any tips on being a bad ass call me. Good luck.’

    Ferdinand reached the height of the football world winning six Premier League titles and one Champions League with United.

    The 38-year-old retired in 2015 and has often shown off his boxing skills on social media.

    Ferdinand was using the sport as a way to stay fit and has been a regular at big fights ever since retiring from football.

  • Ferdinand: I use pundits’ criticism as motivation

    QPR veteran Rio Ferdinand says criticism from pundits acts as motivation for him.

    The former England international’s man-marking was scrutinised by Alan Shearer and Ruud Gullit as he allowed James Chester to score the winning goal for Hull City on Saturday.

    “Even as a player, you sit there and watch it on TV,” Ferdinand told the Sunday Times.

    “There were people on the sofa who you respected as a footballer and in the industry.

    “But sometimes I would sit there and think, ‘how dare you think about me like that? Someone get me his number so I can call him!’

    “And sometimes that becomes part of your fuel for the next week and the week after – “I ain’t going to get embarrassed on Match of the Day.’”

  • Why I turned down Barca, Madrid—Ferdinand

    Rio Ferdinand has revealed he ignored interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona to stay at Manchester United.

    The 35 year old said that, during his glory days at Old Trafford, he was wanted by both of Spain’s biggest clubs.

    “I spoke to Roma and also there was interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona at one time,” he told The Express. “But when I was at Manchester United and there was interest from other clubs I was winning things at Manchester United. So my head was never turned to go anywhere else.”

    The former England captain joined Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer after United opted not to renew his contract in the summer following 12 years at the club, where he won six Premier League titles and appeared in three Champions League finals, triumphing in 2008.

    Ferdinand also claimed that United’s success meant he did not want to leave, adding: “You tell someone from Manchester United or a team that’s winning things that they could go abroad and you would be hard pressed to get them to go.

    “If Gareth Bale had been at Manchester United and winning trophies he wouldn’t have gone to Real Madrid. I was just turned on by winning. I wasn’t interested in going anywhere else.”

  • Ferdinand:I would still be at United with Giggs in charge

    Rio Ferdinand believes he would have stayed at Manchester United with Ryan Giggs in charge – but he has no regrets over his move to QPR.

    The veteran centre-back brought an end to his trophy-laden 12-year stay at Old Trafford when his contract expired last season.

    Subsequently, Ferdinand was reunited with QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who he worked under at his first club West Ham.

    The 35-year-old is thrilled to be staying in the Premier League, but admitted that the deal may not have happened if Giggs had been named permanent manager at United instead of Louis van Gaal.

    “Giggsy is one of my mates, I played with him for years,” Ferdinand said. “We had that chat when he got the job, he had to look at it as if he would still be there and he did tell me I would have stayed and been a part of his plans.

    “But things change quickly, the new manager came in and wanted a new direction. I dusted myself down and moved on.

    “I said at the time that Man United would have to tell me they didn’t want me for me to leave the club. That’s what happened they said ‘thank you and goodbye’.

    “It has to be that way. The club is bigger than any player. I’m here now and I’m glad that Harry and [QPR chairman] Tony Fernandes gave me the chance to come here.”

    Ferdinand also confirmed he had other offers but the lure of moving back to London helped twist his arm.

    He added: “I play to win whether that’s a match or in training. We have to put points on the board. That’s what we did at Man United that’s what we’ll do here. A successful season is staying in the Premier League.