Former England cricketer Freddie Flintoff’s preparations for his debut as a professional boxer will be the subject of a new documentary series on Sky 1 HD.
Entitled ‘Flintoff: From Lord’s to the Ring’, the 2005 and 2009 Ashes hero, who was forced to retire from cricket through injury at the age of 33, has opted for an unexpected and controversial career change.
Flintoff will make his professional heavyweight boxing debut on November 30, and this must-see three-part Sky 1 series has the complete journey of the build-up towards arguably the biggest challenge of his decorated sporting career.
He risks putting his reputation on the line to compete in the challenge of a lifetime – culminating in a live professional boxing fight at the Manchester Arena in front of thousands of fans.
With boxing legend Barry McGuigan leading Freddie’s training regime, this could be his last chance to step back into the professional sporting arena.
Barry is convinced Freddie has what it takes to be a decent heavyweight – right age, agility and his right punch is ‘devastating.’
He and his boxing trainer son, Shane, agree to train him for one professional heavyweight fight, which will be against American novice Richard Dawson over four two-minute rounds on November 30 at Manchester Arena.
The four month battle to turn a retired cricketer into a lean, mean, fighting machine began months in advance, losing over three stone during a gruelling training regime.
Two hour long episodes will follow Freddie as he endeavours to get in the best shape of his life with the help of family, friends and a hugely intensive regime – the pie & mash is replaced with juice and vegetables and alcohol is strictly off limits.
Cameras will also follow the Flintoff family, wife Rachael and their three kids, as they come to terms with their new look husband and father and realise the enormity of the task Freddie has taken on.
Then its down to business as fight night arrives on November 30, with the fight itself will be broadcast exclusively live on BoxNation.
There will be a further hour-long follow up episode airing just days later on Sky 1.
This episode will consist of a retrospective look back on the whole experience including the immediate post fight reaction, an exclusive compilation of previously unseen footage.
Speaking about his boxing challenge, Flintoff told the Sky 1 website: “This is an amazing opportunity to try a sport that I love, to be tutored by a man I respect and admire and, at the age of 34, the chance to be a professional sportsman again.”
“It’s a huge challenge – probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short timeframe.
“I have a long road ahead and a lot of work in front of me. The stakes are high.”
‘Flintoff: From Lord’s to the Ring’ episode guide below:
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Thursday 22nd November – 9.00pm – Sky1
It’s the challenge of a lifetime, but help is at hand in the form of legendary fighter Barry McGuigan and his son Shane, who have agreed to train Flintoff for his professional debut.
McGuigan isn’t going easy on the England cricket hero, not if this first fix is anything to go by.
When Freddie follows a sparring session with a charity cricket game, the one-time world champion drives home that there can be no distractions, introducing a strict new diet and a tough training regime.
Fun and games do come during a pitstop to the A League of Their Own studios, before inspiration is drawn from surprise visitor Sugar Ray Leonard and a trip to Ireland to support another one of Barry’s boys, Carl Frampton.
All Freddie needs to do now is gain his boxing licence, which proves to be a tall task.
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Thursday 29th November – 9.00pm – Sky1
Freddie’s mission to become king of the ring gains momentum in the second episode of the series.
Bouncing back from the setback of not securing a boxing licence, the cricket legend shows Barry and Shaun his fighting spirit by throwing himself into training with added gusto – almost too much when a bust lip forces him to visit a dentist for a gum shield.
A short timeout in the form of a charity golf game with former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is wellearned, before Flintoff receives advice from a man who’s been there, done that and then some: Mike Tyson.
Freddie’s hard work pays off and, by the episode’s end, he finally gets his hands on a licence.
All that’s left now is an anxious wait for fight night to arrive.
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Thursday 6th December – 9.00pm – Sky1
Freddie Flintoff has got some thinking to do as Sky 1’s explosive behind-the-scenes documentary series lands its final blow.
With the big fight done and dusted, the former cricketer shares his immediate post-match reactions before looking back over his experience as a whole.
A compilation of exclusive unseen footage is then followed by a big question: what next?
Will the former cricketer hang up his gloves for good, or is this the beginning of a knockout boxing career?
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