Professional footballer turning pro boxer...

[Guest]

... I saw this the other day, a professional footballer (soccer) turning into a boxer, and I thought it might be worth discussing.

Obviously the guy - Curtis Woodhouse (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/4948340.stm) - will only be fighting at lower domestic level for the next few years, and that's if he can make it that far.

But I thought it was interesting in that you've got one professional from another sport joining the pugilistic ranks... how would experience in one help/hinder the other? Initial thoughts is that his engine would be pretty good, but would it be in the right way?

It seems that such a move is largely unprecedented, with only (ISTR) Antony Mundine doing a similar thing. The guy just said he'd always dreamed of being a boxer, but didn't dream of being a footballer, so gave it up to follow his dream.

I know this kid isn't a global name, but the thread's not about him specifically, it's about the concept behind it.

[-Antonio-]

Damn, I was thinkin NFL type football when I read the headline.

[ferocity]

im surprised anthony mundine has had the success hes had, but then again he only fights in europe but none the less he's winning.

[Crumble]

I think woodhouse is mad!!! he has to be on decentish money at his footie team, I know his team just got promoted. I bet he is on like £750 a week at least, and he used to play for birmingham. No way is he going to be making that kind of money in boxing unless he is actually very good, which I doubt.

[Kball15]

i think hed have awsome stamina, because soccer players run a **** load. but i doubt he'll be good. u never know though.

And i though u were talking about NFL football also. How cool would it be to see brian urlacher or lavar arington box!!! ID PAY TO SEE THAT ****!!! lol

[vB Martin]

The most famous American football player I remember fighting was Ed "Too Tall" Jones. He only had 5 or 6 pro fights, and fought such legends as Billy Joe Thomas, who finished his stellar career at 3 wins (2 KOs) and 24 losses (19 KOs).

[JuicyJuice]

This explains it all: The former England Under-21 midfielder says: "Boxing has always been my first love. When I was a kid, growing up in Driffield, most lads' heroes were Paul Gascoigne and John Barnes but mine were Mike Tyson and Nigel Benn.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai...9/sfnwod29.xml

[NAB]

One thing's for sure - he'll be able to take a dive

[NAB]

im surprised anthony mundine has had the success hes had, but then again he only fights in europe but none the less he's winning.

Mundine grew up in a gym.

BTW - he fights in Australia, not Europe.

[Dr.Depravity]

have to admit i didn't read the article. Does he come from any sort of amature background? If not, The only advantage I can see is the lad must be in decent physical shape.