Rio Ferdinand quits boxing before his first fight because he can’t get a licence
He made the announcement he would be switching from football to boxing in September last year but has yet to step foot in the ring
RIO Ferdinand has quit boxing before ever having a fight.
The former England international footballer announced in September last year he was switching sports in a partnership with bookmaker Betfair.
Now the Sun’s Bizarre TV column can reveal he never got to the ring because he was refused a licence.
A source said: “Because after that boxer died two months ago he was meant to be going for his licence and it's a combination of the British board of boxing thinking it would look wrong and him also s******g it.
“But more I think because the board don't think he would be good enough and don't want to send out the wrong impression."
In an Instagram post, he said: "Having been training 4-5 times a week since announcing the aim of achieving a professional boxing licence and stepping into the ring, it is with a heavy heart that I am hanging up my gloves on @betfair #DefendertoContender challenge.
"Despite having never felt better physically or mentally, After notifying the British Boxing Board of Control of my intention to apply for a licence, I have received confirmation that they would not be reviewing my application at this point in time.
"To say I’m disappointed by this decision is an understatement. To not be given the chance to demonstrate my ability to the BBBoC through the standard assessment afforded to others is hard to take, not only for me, but also to @richie_woodhall, @meldeane12 and the countless others who have dedicated their time to my boxing development over the past five months."
Ex Manchester United and West Ham defender Rio retired from football in 2015.
He has since gone on to become a regular pundit on BT Sport covering the Premier League and Champions League.
In September 2017 he arranged a press conference to confirm the news he would be putting on the gloves and was expected to compete at cruiserweight or light heavyweight level.
At the time 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.”
His boxing journey was also thought to be a TV project rather than a serious venture similar to cricketer Andrew Flintoff’s show in 2012 which saw him get trained by Shane McGuigan.
Since then he stepped up his training which he displays on his Instagram account in a desperate bid to prove his worth to the British Boxing Board of Control in order to gain a licence.
He brought in trainer Mel Deane to help him prepare for what was supposed to be a bout in February.
Rio also worked out with former super-middleweight world champion Richie Woodhall.