November 30th draws closer for Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff loved cricketer, T.V personality and come the inevitable cold November’s night at the MEN Arena BOXER.
Since Freddie’s announcement that he was to team up with “The clone’s cyclone” Barry McGuigan (and son Shane) he has shed a colossal three stone and obtained a British Boxing Board of Control licence despite moans and groans from leading figures in the sport, including promoter Frank Maloney.
His opponent for his pro boxing debut is unbeaten American Richard Dawson a novice himself in many ways with minimal Armature background and a pro record of 2-0-0 with a total of just five rounds to his name. Which,, to be fair is a world of experience compared to Freddie as he has NO amateur background and will enter the ring a complete green horn.
Fans of boxing (not all) have voiced their concerns that all of this is a circus act and that Freddie is reaching too far to redeem his former sporting glory’s since his premature retirement from cricket aged just 31.
But how can so many be judge mental of his new venture?
I can understand the stance of the fans that are not purely dismissing the bout, but are concerned for Flintoff physically, as they hold him in such high regard and would hate to see him come to any harm or heavily knocked out on the 30th.The other side to that coin is the nationwide embarrassment that would undoubtedly be bombarded at him and would see his former achievements’ tarnished if he was beaten badly or failed to perform to a good standered.
