LONDON: Rio Ferdinand has officially traded in his football boots for a pair of boxing gloves and has been told to expect a tough challenge as he tries to make a name for himself as a boxer rather than a footballer.
Now aged 38, it has been over two years since the former Manchester United and England star trained professionally. So training with former WBC super-middleweight champion and Olympic bronze-medalist turned GB trainer Richie Woodall could come as a shock.
Arab News spoke to Sean Laverick, a man who has overseen Anthony Joshua sparring sessions, who claimed Ferdinand is in for a shock.
“I think he will struggle, he hasn't, as far as I'm aware, he hasn't been preparing that long from it,” the boxing coach said.
“A person that has had a good amateur background will definitely come in over the top of Rio.
“It's very easy to hit a punch bag and do sparring and think I'm ok but once you actually step in that box, you can prepare as much as you can but that's where the difference is.”
Ferdinand, it seems, is in no doubt as to the size of the task he is taking on.
“I have always had a passion for it and this challenge is the perfect opportunity to show people what’s possible,” Ferdinand said.
“It’s a challenge I’m not taking lightly — clearly not everyone can become a professional boxer — but with the team of experts (I’ve got behind me) are putting together and the drive I have to succeed, anything is possible.”
The tale of a sports star deciding to try his or her luck in another discipline is far from rare. In fact such are the big egos that many sporting heroes carry around with them, in addition to their talent, it is, in some ways, surprising that there have not been more dual-sporting stars.
Here Arab News looks at five other athletes who have risked their big reputations in a bid to prove they are super at more than one sport.
MICHAEL JORDAN
Think of “MJ” and you doubtless think of basketball. The greatest ever player, and perfectionist, somewhat blotted his copybook, however, when he decided dominating the court for the Chicago Bulls was not enough. Aged 31 ‘His Airness’ quit basketball to try his luck in baseball. While success came easy on the basketball court it was harder to find on the baseball diamond. Playing for the Birmingham Barons, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, Jordan struggled. His average batting performances were combined with leading the Southern League with 11 errors in the outfield. It was no surprise when, after just a year, Jordan announced that he was leaving baseball behind in a two-word press release: “I’m back!”
DEION SANDERS
Deion “Prime Time” Sanders was known as having a big ego, and clearly decided to live his sporting life by the mantra “why be good at one sport when you can be good at two.” The super talent played American football for a host of top teams, the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins, among them, and in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds. As if being able to play in the top divisions of the US’s main pastimes was not enough, Sanders was also good enough to be one of the best players in both sports. He won the Super Bowl with the 49ers and Cowboys, and played in a World Series with the Atlanta Braves. He also he hit a major league home run and scored a touchdown in the NFL in the same week, the only player ever to do so.
ANDREW FLINTOFF
Andrew Flintoff was one of the best cricket all-rounders of his generation, and even was considered to be the greatest English all-rounder since Sir Ian Botham. Following retirement in 2010, the larger-than-life character refused to shy away from the limelight, moving from the cricket pavilion to the boxing ring. Flintoff did not have such a bad experience, as he jabbed his way to a one-from-one winning record in his one-off professional boxing fight in 2012. After the harsh criticism from fans and critics alike Flintoff quit while he was ahead explaining: “I’m not pretending to be something I'm not.”
CONOR MCGREGOR
To put yourself in the spotlight in two sports you need to have confidence, and it is fair to say the Irish MMA star did not lack in that regard. As quick with one-line insults as he is with bone-crunching kicks McGregor last month took on possibly the greatest boxer of all time, Floyd Mayweather. The jury is still split over whether he made a good fist of it. Defeated via technical knockout in the 10th round, there are some who were pleasantly surprised by McGregor’s performance, while others thought the match-up was a farce. We doubt he minded though, for his efforts he got a hefty pay check of at least $30 million.
SONNY BILL WILLIAMS
There are those who are good at two sports and then there is Sonny Bill Williams, who decided to show-off in three. By the time he was 19 the classy Kiwi was already playing rugby league, becoming the youngest player to ever win an NRL title and and play for New Zealand. His switch to rugby union in 2008 added yet more titles and trophies to his ever-growing cabinet, winning the World Cup with the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015. As if he had not had enough world-class sporting action Williams tested his masterclass in the boxing ring, winning all six professional bouts. Not only that but he took up rugby sevens so he could take part in the Rio Olympics. Not a bad sporting CV…
Ferdinand set for a tough challenge in the boxing ring
Ferdinand set for a tough challenge in the boxing ring
SAL Jeddah GT 2024 race continues at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
- Second qualifying session for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe is set to continue at 11:45 a.m. Saturday
- Benjamin Lariche and Robert Consani from Team Speedcar as crowned as winners of the first race
RIYADH: The SAL Jeddah GT 2024 is all set for another entertaining day at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Saturday, with the second qualifying session for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, supported by AWS, starting at 11:45 a.m.
The session lasts one hour in preparation for the official six-hour, 1,000-kilometer race starting at 5 p.m. Additionally, the second race of the European GT4 Series, supported by Club Raffa Racing, will begin at 2:15 p.m., lasting one hour.
Organized by the Saudi Auto and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and Saudi Motorsports Company under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Sports, race kicked off on Friday in the presence of Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of the Saudi sports and chairman of the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the Board of Directors of SAMF and Saudi Motorsports Company, crowned Benjamin Lariche and Robert Consani from Team Speedcar as winners of the first race.
They were followed by Alex Denning and Thomas Emson from Elite Motorsport in second place, just 3.472 seconds behind. Their teammates, Joshua Rattican and Thomas Lépinon, finished third, 2.117 seconds behind. Meanwhile, Team Spirit of Le Mans came fourth, and Les Places Biavenoy ranked fifth.
In the Pro-Am category, AFR-Avatar clinched first place, ranking seventh overall, while Raison Moonsecured second place, followed by Mirage in third. In the amateur category, Schumacher CLRTclaimed first place, ranking 16th overall, followed by NM Racing in second (20th overall), and EV in third.
The gates for fans open at 10:00 a.m., offering various entertainment zones, children’s play areas, interactive games, and virtual reality experiences.
Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup has received the highest-ever rating: FIFA
- Last October, a FIFA delegation arrived in the Kingdom to review the details of the bid and inspect the facilities to be used in the games
- As stated in the bid, games will be played in 15 stadiums distributed across Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, Abha, and Neom, plus ten other hosting sites
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ 2034 has received a rating of 419.8 out of 500, the highest technical rating ever given by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to a file submitted to host the event, the federation has said.
FIFA’s announcement came ahead of the federation’s general assembly on December 11 to decide which countries would host the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Saturday.
On July 29, a Saudi delegation led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, minister of sport and president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and Yasser Al-Misehal, Saudi Arabian Football Federation president, officially submitted the Kingdom’s bid book to FIFA to host the FIFA World Cup 2034™ at a ceremony hosted in Paris, France.
Last October, a FIFA delegation arrived in the Kingdom to review the details of the bid. As proposed, 48 teams will be participating at venues in one country for the first time in history.
The delegation visited the cities proposed to host the tournament, inspected the sports projects and facilities included in the bid, and reviewed other upcoming preparations.
Commenting on the FIFA announcement, Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz said the unlimited attention, empowerment and support received from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, contributing to the bid gaining the confidence of the international community.
SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal stressed that “through the bid file, we are committed to providing an exceptional experience for all participants in the tournament, whether teams or participating delegations, and certainly for fans and football lovers around the world.”
Hammad Al-Balawi, head of the Bid File Unit, said “the Kingdom’s bid file offers five host cities with diverse cultural and urban character that help fans and football lovers explore unique cultures and experiences in different regions of the Kingdom.”
In addition, he said, ten other hosting sites that “contribute to enhancing the experience of the participating teams through training camps and modern sports facilities, in addition to providing high accessibility between cities.”
As stated in the Kingdom’s bid, games will be played in 15 stadiums distributed across Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, Abha, and Neom, in addition to the ten other hosting sites across the Kingdom.
Saudi fighters shine as PFL MENA Championship delivers spectacular action in Riyadh
- Hattan Alsaif, Abdullah Al-Qahtani wow the crowd on electrifying night
RIYADH: The Saudi duo of MMA fighters, Hattan Alsaif and Abdullah Al-Qahtani, shone at the PFL MENA Championship on an electrifying night in Riyadh.
The PFL (Professional Fighters League) delivered an evening of spectacular MMA action which showcased local and international talent while solidifying Saudi Arabia’s place on the global MMA stage.
The event featured a mix of thrilling showcase bouts and championship matches, leaving fans captivated by the high-level competition.
Costello van Steenis began the night with an impressive first-round knockout victory over Joao Dantas, landing a head kick at just 48 seconds. The win improved his career record to 16-3 and marked his fourth career knockout, maintaining his strong form of four victories in his last five fights.
Asael Adjoudj impressed in the featherweight division, securing a third-round guillotine choke submission against Jose Perez. The victory extended his remarkable winning streak to nine, bringing his career record to 9-1. Adjoudj remains undefeated since his professional debut loss, highlighting his rapid rise in the division.
Gabriel Braga bounced back from his PFL playoff semifinal loss with a unanimous decision win over Jeremy Kennedy. With his career record now at 15-2, Braga demonstrated resilience and technical skill, reaffirming his status as a top featherweight contender.
Slim Trabelsi continued his undefeated run with a hard-fought split-decision victory in a clash of unbeaten heavyweights against Englishman Abraham Bably. Utilizing his powerful striking and determination, Trabelsi improved his record to 8-0, showcasing his potential to rise further in the division.
On the Saudi front, Hattan Alsaif delivered a highlight-reel moment with a stunning knockout win over Lilia Osmani, further establishing herself as a fighter to watch.
The night’s crowning achievements came with two championship bouts. Abdullah Al-Qahtani secured the PFL MENA Featherweight Championship in front of his hometown crowd with a dominant first-round TKO against Marouane Bellagouit. The 26-year-old Riyadh native improved his record to 10-2, adding his fourth career knockout and earning his place as a hometown hero.
Egypt’s Omar El Dafrawy claimed the PFL MENA Welterweight Championship with a second-round TKO over Mohammad Alaqraa. The victory not only extended El Dafrawy’s winning streak to seven but also avenged a previous loss to Alaqraa. Now boasting a 13-6 record with eight knockouts, El Dafrawy demonstrated his growth and determination, cementing his status as a dominant force in the division.
The PFL MENA Championship in Riyadh was a landmark event for MMA in Saudi Arabia, showcasing the region’s growing talent and passion for the sport. With electrifying performances and enthusiastic support from local fans, the event marked another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey as a key player in the global MMA landscape.
Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund takes a stake in Audi’s future F1 team
- the Qatar Investment Authority will be “a long-term investor and partner” in the Audi F1 team
LUSAIL, Qatar: The sovereign wealth fund of Qatar is acquiring a “significant minority stake” in what will become Audi’s works Formula 1 team from 2026, in a deal announced Friday at the Qatar Grand Prix.
A joint statement said the Qatar Investment Authority will be “a long-term investor and partner” and provide “a substantial capital injection” that will help the team expand its infrastructure.
The team is currently competing as Sauber and will be rebranded as the Audi works outfit for 2026 after it reached agreement for a full takeover earlier this year.
“This additional capital will accelerate the team’s growth and is yet another milestone on our long-term strategy,” Audi chief executive Gernot Döllner said in the joint statement.
Qatar is already an investor in the Volkswagen Group, of which Audi is a part.
“QIA believes that Formula 1 is a sport with significant untapped investment potential,” QIA chief executive Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi said.
“The increasing commercialization of professional sports as an entertainment offering globally, and the increasingly global popularity of Formula 1, has made for an exciting opportunity for our first major motorsports investment.”
Sauber is changing both of its drivers for 2025, when Nico Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto arrive to replace Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
It is the only team yet to score a point this season. Bottas placed 13th and Zhou 19th in Friday’s qualifying for the Saturday sprint race, which was the first competitive session since the agreement was announced.
GT World Challenge title to go down to the wire in Jeddah finale
- The 6 Hours of Jeddah race marks the final race of the GTWC season with Mercedes, Porsche and Ferrari battling it out for the title
JEDDAH: Mercedes-AMG Team GetSpeed topped Friday’s Free Practice in the GT World Challenge finale at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with Jules Gounon leading the way in a two-hour session that began in daylight and ended with the sun setting over the Red Sea.
The 6 Hours of Jeddah race marks the final race of the GTWC season with Mercedes, Porsche and Ferrari battling it out for the title.
Gounon was the first driver to break the two-minute barrier, posting a 1m 59.839s at the halfway mark. He subsequently shaved a further three hundredths of this to end Free Practice with a 1m 59.804s.
Matteo Cairoli came within touching distance of Gounon’s benchmark with a 1m 59.894s during the final 30 minutes. In doing so, the Iron Lynx Lamborghini jumped ahead of Maro Engel, whose time of 2m 00.093s demonstrated that the Mercedes Team Mann-Filter entry is fully up to speed following its testing accident on Thursday.
Gold Cup title favorite Sainteloc Racing placed fourth overall with Gilles Magnus at the wheel of the Audi. The Rutronik Racing Porsche continued the strong pace it demonstrated on Thursday by placing fifth overall and leading the Bronze Cup thanks to Loek Hartog.
The Boutsen VDS Mercedes-AMG was sixth, followed by the title-chasing AF Corse Francorchamps Motors Ferrari.
Sainteloc Racing also paced the Silver Cup with its #26 Audi. Kobe Pauwels posted a 2m 00.494s to place 19th overall. A total of 47 cars were on-track during Free Practice following the withdrawal of the Walkenhorst Motorsport Aston Martin, which crashed during Thursday’s Bronze Test.
In contrast with Thursday’s sessions, Free Practice brought almost no on-track incidents. A number of cars brushed the wall as they tested the limits of the high-speed Jeddah circuit, but there were no stoppages during the two-hour run.
However, there was more bad news for the Walkenhorst squad, which suffered a serious fire in one of its Aston Martins. No one was harmed in the incident, though the car’s continued participation in the event is unclear.
