Rio Ferdinand has been told he could have been a contender.
The former Manchester United and England defender plans to make his professional debut next year and at 39, his career looks set to be a short one.
The chances are Ferdinand will only box once or twice, provided the British Boxing Board of Control grant him a license – and given his age and complete lack of experience, that’s not a certainty.
Robert Smith, General Secretary of the Board, says Ferdinand has yet to apply for his license, but coach Richie Woodhall has faith in him and says that had he taken up boxing sooner, he could have had a good career.
“If Rio had chosen boxing instead of football all those years ago, I’m sure he would have done well,” said Woodhall, a former WBC super-middleweight champion and coach at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
“Rio is an athlete, physically, he’s very good and he looks to have natural toughness, he’s a natural fighter.
“I’ve learned that as I’ve got to know him better.
“The estate where he grew up in Peckham was very, very tough and because of that upbringing and his athleticism and dedication, the ingredients are there to be a good boxer.
“He could have done very well and even at 39, he’s still very fit and dedicated.
“He still trains very hard.
“He’s strong, has a bit of talent and the power is there as well.
“I’m trying to develop his speed and relaxation and that will come with time.
“We are just taking it one step at a time.
“Because of the weather, we haven’t been able to train yet this week, but I’m really pleased with Rio’s progress.
“He has done everything I’ve asked him to do and I’m pleased with the way he has taken to it.
“He is a good listener.”
Woodhall reports Ferdinand is currently weighing around 14st 4lbs – the cruiserweight limit – and is learning the merits of straight punches.
“I’m trying to get Rio to use his height and reach,” said Woodhall.
“He has to understand about using the tools he has.
“We didn’t throw a single hook for the first eight sessions we had together. It’s all been about the jab and the straight right hand. I’m getting him to box at long range and he is getting there.”
Woodhall reports Ferdinand is some way off sparring yet and accepts that working with him is a challenge.
Woodhall has trained pro fighters before, alongside Jon Pegg when local businessman Ken Purchase was staging shows in Birmingham.
He worked with the recently-retired Don Broadhurst and Max Maxwell among others, but more recently, Woodhall has been training Great Britain boxers at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
“I’m used to working with boxers who throw five or six punch combinations in their sleep,” said Woodhall, “and with Rio, we are working on basics like the jab and balance.
“It’s new to me and it’s a challenge.
“I’ve never really trained anyone from scratch before and I have to show patience.
“It’s slow progress, but when you’re working with someone who’s never boxed before in their life, that’s what you expect.
“Rio has chosen the toughest sport possible to take up and he is enjoying it, which is important, because if he enjoys it, he will want to train and want to learn.
“It’s still very early days and there are no plans to start sparring just yet, but Rio is doing OK. The signs are definitely encouraging.”