London: Nathan Cleverly, who is the current WBO light heavyweight world champion, met former England captain Andrew Flintoff recently, and said the former cricket all rounder ha s a big job on hand when he makes his professional boxing debut in Manchester on November 30.
Flintoff, who has lost almost three stone in weight, was kept out of the media spotlight as he continues his preparations under the tutelage of Barry McGuigan and his son Shane.
“Freddie was pretty chuffed to meet me and he said he`d seen me fight before which was nice,” the Daily Mail quoted Cleverly, as saying.
“I believe that boxing is the hardest sport out there and for anyone to step through the ropes proves they`ve got the fire for a fight. Freddie`s had a few battles on the cricket pitch with his team mates but when it`s one-on-one in a boxing ring, that`s when you`ve got to really stand and prove your character,” he added.
“I think that Freddie`s made of the tough stuff, he was a beast on the pitch having the Aussies on the run, so he`s got to take that same fire and desire he showed when England won the Ashes in 2005 into the ring with him,’ he said.
Cleverly added: “I said to Freddie that it`s going to be the hardest thing he has done, but the buzz from winning and with the crowd cheering will be well worth it.”
ANI
First Published: Tuesday, October 30, 2012, 16:47