Professional footballers becoming boxers is almost unheard of, though there have been a couple of cases down the years.

Curtis Woodhouse is one of the biggest examples. The 37-year-old made almost 350 appearances for the likes of Peterborough United and Hull City before hanging up his boots in 2012.

But he actually took up boxing midway through his career in 2006, meaning he had to juggle the two sports and become a part-time footballer.

Woodhouse remains an active boxer having won 24 of his 31 fights, losing the other seven, and is also manager of Bridlington Town in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Leon McKenzie is another who swapped football for boxing, as is Tommy Martin, while Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand is set to make his debut later this year.

Even ex-Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge recently stepped into the ring for a charity event in aid of Sport Relief, which you can watch here.

Most footballers aren't cut out for boxing due to their physique and size, but if Gareth Bale ever fancies a change he might just have what it takes.

BALE VS BOXING MACHINE

Back in August, the Welshman went head-to-head with BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey on a boxing machine to see who could hit the highest score.

Humphrey began the challenge by recording 648 - 99 short of the high score - and was probably pretty happy with that.

But up stepped Bale - who has never boxed before - with an impressive 741 before having a second go and actually breaking the machine's record with 763. Check it out.

Who knew Bale had that in his locker? The Real Madrid man's reaction to breaking the record by just laughing said it all about how surprised he was.

Gareth 'The Cannon' Bale - that has a nice ring to it.