Heads were turned on Monday night as it emerged that Rio Ferdinand was set to make his professional boxing debut at the age of 38.
The Telegraph broke the story and this morning the former Manchester United defender confirmed the news while revealing that it was a venture in association with Betfair, and that it would, unfortunately, be titled 'Defender to Contender'..
It's happening... Can’t wait to get started with the team @betfair have put together, @richiewoodhall and @meldeane #DefenderToContender pic.twitter.com/s6AmLRo7DN
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) September 19, 2017
Some voiced their displeasure with another well-known personality trying his hand at boxing, but Ferdinand received a lot of support and well wishes from figures in the sport such as Ricky Hatton as well as the general public.
However, while it was made to look like everything was in place and the ball could start rolling for this project in the near future, it seems it is still some way off happening.
British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith told Sky Sports that Rio Ferdinand is yet to even apply for his boxing licence, and labelled his decision to announce the series having not done so a 'surprise'.
It was surprising that anybody would announce anything without contacting the governing body.
I have not received an application so there's nothing to consider. I heard, for the first time, on the radio.
If we receive an application we will consider it, as we have to do. But we've had no correspondence from Mr. Ferdinand.
It's an odd one, as presumably Ferdinand would have made sure that everything was in order before announcing his intentions, and he should still be able to obtain a licences, it just means that any fight is further down the line that we thought.
There is precedence for this, as former cricketer Freddy Flintoff tried something similar in 2012, but as the BBBofC confirmed he had months of training under his belt before doing so.
Freddie Flintoff went through a training period for over six months before he even considered applying.
If you are looking forward to see how Ferdinand gets on, it seems as though the wait is going to be longer than initially expected, and we still even heard a hint as to who the opponent might be.
Then again, he could see his application for a licence rejected, in which case this would not look great for all involved.
