Fighting fit
Rio Ferdinand put through paces with former world champion Richie Woodhall ahead of boxing debut
Former Manchester United defender is being made to work hard alongside the Team GB coach ahead of his one-off appearance
TRAINING ahead of Rio Ferdinand's boxing debut is in full flow with the Manchester United legend being put to work by Olympic coach Richie Woodhall.
The former defender will have one professional fight with the financial backing of betting company Betfair after retiring from football.
And the 39-year-old has kept his followers updated on his training with his latest Twitter post.
Being made to sweat by former World Champion Woodhall, Ferdinand is gritting his teeth as he continues to hit the pads.
Woodhall keeps encouraging Ferdinand and tells him to hit "harder, faster than that please."
Throwing a combination of one-twos, the 11-second clip ends with Betfair's 'Defender to Contender' advertisement.
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Without any amateur fights, Ferdinand has even been offered tips by former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury.
Ferdinand's training has taken him to Dubai where he was made to graft in the heat.
And Woodhall was full of praise for the former England captain's progress.
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Adebayo Akinfenwa calls out Rio Ferdinand for a boxing match
During a training session he said: "After four sessions you already look a totally different boxer."
Ferdinand responded: "There's loads to take on, I've got homework, man
"This is memory and that's why the mirror is so important, where I'm looking at my stance, looking at my technique and just got to keep drilling that home."
