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Beat it up
Rio Ferdinand continues boxing training while Manchester United hero sings along to Michael Jackson
Ex-England centre-back has been working out to tracks by the controversial American artist ahead of boxing debut
RIO FERDINAND is continuing his boxing training while singing along to Michael Jackson pop classics.
The former Manchester United and England defender is scratching his post-retirement competitive itch with a move into the fight game, with his professional boxing debut expected in 2018.
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The controversial career move has caused some confusion with an early promo video from the betting company sponsoring his training claiming he would be chasing titles.
But - after a much-needed rethink – the Premier League legend is targeting a more modest one-off fight.
Reaction from inside boxing has been dramatically varied; Chris Eubank Jnr and Tyson Fury have offered to help Ferdinand with sparring.
But Everton fan and heavyweight fighter Tony Bellew has accused the footballer of being an attention seeker making a mockery of boxing.
Ferdinand said: “I want to see if I can get a licence and become a professional and have one fight.
“I am not looking to have a career here.
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"I am looking to have a professional fight and I will see where I go then.
“This is not a joke.
"Hopefully, I will get a license, go on to become a professional and fight someone.
“Boxing can't be a gimmick. If I take it lightly, I will get hurt."