After hanging up the boots nearly four years ago, former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra will now pull on some boxing gloves.
The 40-year-old Frenchman will face American YouTuber Adam Saleh at the O2 Arena in London on April 30 as part of a Boxstar event.
Evra has never competed in a boxing match before but is looking forward to the challenge.
"I'm really excited to participate for the first time ever in my life in a boxing match, because I always had so much respect for people boxing," Evra was quoted by The Sun.
"It is not just about power and strength, it is also about strategy and technique — It's like a chess game.
"What I am the most excited for is the training technique, because the way they train is completely different to how football players train.
"I am really excited to work hard, to challenge myself, and to get out of my comfort zone.
"It is a massive opportunity for me.
"Of course, I want to have fun, like with everything I do, but I also want to make sure I show that I respect this sport."
April 30th. I’m ready.
— Patrice Evra (@Evra) March 10, 2022
I LOVE THIS GAME 🥊 pic.twitter.com/5JQy4lNIWb
Other athletes who have tried their hand at boxing
Patrice Evra isn't the first athlete to jump on the celebrity boxing craze.
Deron Williams and Frank Gore, former NBA and NFL stars, squared off in an exhibition match last year in the United States.
Another former NBA player, Nate Robinson, was knocked out by YouTuber Jake Paul in 2020.
Footballer Pablo Migliore tried the same thing in Argentina and fought several times as a professional boxer during a break in his career that resumed in 2022.
Diego Maradona even stepped into the ring once in 1996 when he was still active as a footballer. He put on a three-round exhibition with former world boxing champion Santos "Falucho" Laciar in Argentina.
