His name is Rio and he boxes in the ring.
Well, he hasn't boxed professionally yet, but that is former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand's intention.
38-year-old Ferdinand hung up his football boots for good over two years ago, but has remained in excellent shape. He previously said that gym work has helped him cope with the loss of his wife, Rebecca, who died in 2015 after a battle with breast cancer.
He confirmed the move into the ring on Twitter, tagging former boxer Richie Woodhall, as well as Mel Deane, a former Connacht rugby player turned professional trainer.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/910057730316099590
One thing that couldn't be ignored from Ferdinand's confirmation tweet was the revelation that online gambling company Betfair had 'put it together'.
So when Ferdinand and his team faced the press following the announcement, the obvious question of how much money the parties stood to gain from the stunt came up.
https://twitter.com/marthakelner/status/910118530867187713
Unimpressed with the question, Ferdinand told the event's organisers not to give Rob Harris, the Associated Press journalist who asked the question, the microphone again.
https://twitter.com/RobHarris/status/910118235441418240
Betfair did confirm that Ferdinand was being paid, but they did not explain how his plan to fight benefits the shareholders of the company.
