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Rio Ferdinand refused boxing license before first fight

The British Boxing Board of Control's decision not to review the former defender's license bid has led him to call time on his boxing dream

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has called time on his proposed professional boxing career before contesting a single bout.

Ferdinand, 39, intended to box in the cruiserweight division under the guidance of former super-middleweight world champion and Team GB coach Richie Woodall, as part of a project dubbed "Defender to Contender" that was backed by online betting company Betfair.

However, in a statement issued on his Facebook page, Ferdinand announced the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) were not willing to take his application for a boxing license forward.