Andrew Flintoff prepares
for professional boxing debut
But the former England
cricket all-rounder is currently embroiled in his biggest challenge to date -
life as a professional boxer.
"It's the hardest thing I've ever done,"
says Flintoff, who will make his heavyweight bow in Manchester
on 30 November against an unnamed opponent.
"Cricket was something I'd been doing since I was a
kid and it came naturally, but doing this in a short space of time with little
or no experience has been a challenge.
"There are two sessions a day, a lot of sparring
work, a lot of gym work and a strict diet. It's been a challenge but one I'm
enjoying."
Flintoff as a cricketer
1998: Makes Test debut for England South Africa
2002: Scores maiden Test century against New Zealand Christchurch
2005: Named "Man of the Series" as England BBC Sports
Personality of the Year award
2006-07: Captains England Australia
2007: Stripped of vice-captaincy after getting into late-night
difficulties with a pedalo following a drinking session
2009: Retires from Test cricket after helping England
2010: Forced to retire from all forms of cricket by persistent injuries
It has been six weeks since the 2005 Ashes hero caused a few
splutters over morning breakfast bowls by announcing his career change and the
transformation in his physique is striking.
The man whose early England
career was hampered by question-marks over his waistline is now a lean and
angular presence, his jawline chiselled and his skin wrapped tightly around
every bulging muscle.
"It's been a lifestyle change," says
Flintoff, who is being coached by Shane McGuigan, son of the former world
featherweight champion Barry.
"I'm having steak for breakfast and lots of chicken
and fish, and I've lost 40 pounds just through hard work.
"It's been a bit of a wake-up call for my wife,
seeing me coming home with battered lips, black eyes and a bleeding nose.
"I think that's when she realised how tough this is,
but I couldn't do it without her support."
34 year old played in 79 Tests and 141 one-day
internationals for England, was forced to give up cricket because of injury
problems in September 2010, a year after his final competitive game, and has
since divided his time between television, radio and charity work.
He rubbed shoulders with some of the world's most dangerous
animals in the "Freddie Flintoff Goes Wild" TV series and cycled
across Europe with former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio to raise
money for Cancer Research UK and Great Ormond Street Hospital before the
Olympics.
In between projects, however, there has been down time and
the chance to stew over what he perceived to be unfinished business in the
sporting arena.
"In an ideal world I'd still be playing cricket now
but I played my last game at 31," said Flintoff. "Then this
came along and I thought 'why not?'.
"I'm enjoying being a sportsman again. When you have
the routine you want to break it and when you don't have the routine you want
it back. You get up in the morning and you have a bit of purpose.
"There will be critics and cynics, but you get them
whatever you do. I'm just going to get my head down and give myself the best
chance."
Flintoff is expected to be issued with a 12-month licence by
the British Boxing Board of Control next week following medical clearance.
Representatives of the board have been watching him in
training, although secretary Robert Smith was keen to play down expectations.
"The reports from our area council representatives
indicate that Mr Flintoff is fit, in shape, and has been well-schooled by Barry
McGuigan and his son Shane," Smith told the Daily Telegraph.
"But I think it is fair to say we are not expecting
Freddie Flintoff to be the next Sugar Ray Leonard."
Flintoff, whose progress is being filmed for a television
documentary, is reluctant to speculate on whether his boxing career will extend
beyond a single bout.
But one thing is for sure, after four months of
self-sacrifice, his 35th birthday party six days after the fight will be quite
an occasion.
"I'll try to keep up the diet, but I reckon the
sixth of December is going to be a big day, I'm looking forward to my birthday
this year." He said.
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