Thursday 3 May 2018 12:20, UK
Rio Ferdinand's plans to become a professional boxer have been scuppered after the British Boxing Board of Control decided against awarding him a licence.
The 39-year-old former England and Manchester United defender announced last year he planned to enter the ring as a fighter, more than two years after retiring from professional football.
However, Ferdinand announced on social media: "Having been training 4-5 times a week since announcing the aim of achieving a professional boxing licence and stepping into the ring, it is with a heavy heart that I am hanging up my gloves on Betfair's Defender to Contender challenge.
"Despite having never felt better physically or mentally, after notifying the British Boxing Board of Control of my intention to apply for a licence, I have received confirmation that they would not be reviewing my application at this point in time.
"To say I'm disappointed by this decision is an understatement. To not be given the chance to demonstrate my ability to the BBBoC through the standard assessment afforded to others is hard to take.
"Boxing is a physically tough, demanding and dangerous sport. I always gave it my utmost respect and never underestimated how difficult it would be.
"I wanted to show people that it's OK to have a goal and strive to reach it. It's important to approach everything with success in mind, and to give it your all, but sometimes things work against you.
"This sport has given me a new focus & drive and is something I will continue to do as part of my fitness regime."
Ferdinand - who has suffered family bereavements in recent years - said when announcing his boxing ambitions: "I've been through quite a few things in my life. This is a way of trying to channel that aggression, that anger, into something I can be really focused on.
"I've probably been searching for that since I retired. I miss that competitive edge. It's something for me to focus on after the last couple of years."
