It's easy to question Rio Ferdinand's decision to pursue a career in boxing considering he has children to care for, has made millions from football and continues to make good money as a pundit.But Ferdinand revealed at his boxing announcement that he misses competing at a high-level and is looking for somewhere to release the aggression that's built up over the past few years, including from the death of his wife, Rebecca Ellison, to cancer in 2015.In Ferdinand's eyes, there's no better place than in the boxing ring.“It’s something for me to focus on after the last couple of years,” Ferdinand said at the press conference.“I’ve been through quite a few things in my life and this is a way of trying to channel that aggression, that anger sometimes, into something I can be really focused on.”The former Manchester United and England defender won the Premier League six times in his career. He's only ever known to compete, and he doesn't wish to stop at the age of 38.“It was mainly about testing myself,” he added. “Throughout my career, I’ve got used to competition and I’ve fuelled myself on it.
“I’ve probably been searching for that since I retired. I miss that competitive edge.
“Physically and mentally, I’m going to go to places I’ve never been, but I want to meet the challenges head on.
“I know there will be moments when I ask myself, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ But that’s part of the test, I miss pressure. I don’t miss playing football, I miss the adrenaline and the competing, and the mental and physical warfare.”
Ferdinand has been called out
Ferdinand is in the process of trying to earn his boxing licence from the British Boxing Board of Control but he won't be short of potential opponents should he do so.
Indeed, this week he received a challenge. But there's a twist - the challenge doesn't come from a boxer, but from rugby league legend Jamie Peacock, who wants the fight to be for charity and wants to raise £250,000.
Peacock, who played for Leeds Rhinos, has been undergoing his own training inside the boxing ring and took to Twitter to suggest Ferdinand meets him in the squared circle for a charity fight next spring.
"Now then @rioferdy5. Let's have this," Peacock wrote. "Spring 2018. @fdarena Leeds. Pack it out all for a good cause. Raise £250k for charity. 🥊💰"
Ferdinand is yet to respond but Peacock certainly seems up for it.