Betfair signs Rio Ferdinand for Defender to Contender campaign
Ex-England footballer to have shot at boxing title belt for operator’s latest marketing stunt
Betfair has launched a new marketing campaign which will see former professional footballer Rio Ferdinand try his hand at boxing in a bid to compete for a title belt.
The Defender to Contender series will see Ferdinand become the latest sportsperson to switch sports for Betfair after Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton became a Cheltenham jockey for the operator’s Switching Saddles challenge in 2016.
Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles with Manchester United and earned 81 England caps, will train with former WBC super-middleweight Champion and Team GB trainer, Richie Woodhall.
“Boxing is an amazing sport for the mind and the body- I have always had a passion for it and this challenge is the perfect opportunity to show people what’s possible,” said Ferdinand.
“It’s a challenge I’m not taking lightly as not everyone can become a professional boxer, but with the team of experts Betfair are putting together and the drive I have to succeed, anything is possible.”
Betfair hopes to help Ferdinand qualify for his British Boxing Board of Control (BBBOC) licence before he starts training and competing for a title belt.
The exchange operator has said it will introduce a number of former and current boxers to Ferdinand throughout the campaign to help him prepare for fights and hone specific skills.
It's happening… Can’t wait to get started with the team @betfair have put together, @richiewoodhall and @meldeane 🥊 #DefenderToContender pic.twitter.com/s6AmLRo7DN
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) September 19, 2017