Athletes who swapped sports after retiring
After Rio Ferdinand announced he is to try his hand at boxing at the age of 38 AS has a look at other sportspeople who have switched disciplines.
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Rio Ferdinand
The former Manchester United and England defender announced recently that he is intending to become a professional boxer.
Foto: ANDREW YATES / AFP
Rio Ferdinand.
The former Manchester United and England defender announced recently that he is intending to become a professional boxer.
Foto: STAFF / Action Images via Reuters
Tim Wiese
The German keeper was a stalwart at Werder Bremen and picked up six caps for his country. After retiring in 2014, Wiese transferred his talents to the ring with the WWE.
Foto: FABIAN BIMMER / REUTERS
Tim Wiese
The German keeper was a stalwart at Werder Bremen and picked up six caps for his country. After retiring in 2014, Wiese transferred his talents to the ring with the WWE.
Foto: CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP
Santi Cañizares
The former Valencia and Spain keeper went on to become a television pundit - and a rally driver.
Foto: DIARIO AS / DIARIO AS
Santi Cañizares
The former Valencia and Spain keeper went on to become a television pundit - and a rally driver.
Foto: DIARIO AS / DIARIO AS
Gabriel Batistuta.
One of the greatest goalscorers of all time, Batistuta had a less well known talent - polo.
Foto: ENRIQUE MARCARIAN / REUTERS
Gabriel Batistuta
One of the greatest goalscorers of all time, Batistuta had a less well known talent - polo.
Michael Jordan
The greatest basketball player of all time won three successive NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls but after the death of his father he sought a new challenge and played baseball for the Birmingham Barons before returning to the court and winning another t
Foto: DIARIO AS / DIARIO AS
Michael Jordan
The greatest basketball player of all time won three successive NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls but after the death of his father he sought a new challenge and played baseball for the Birmingham Barons before returning to the court and winning another t
Foto: DIARIO AS / DIARIO AS
Marion Jones
The American sprinter went on to forege a career in the WNBA with Tulsa Shock.
Foto: GARY HERSHORN / REUTERS
Marion Jones
The American sprinter went on to forege a career in the WNBA with Tulsa Shock.
Foto: BILL WAUGH / REUTERS
Andriy Shevchenko
The Ukraine and Milan great, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2004, was also a promising golfer and has played several national tournaments. He was also handy in the boxking ring in his youth but elected to play football instead.
Foto: Martin Rose / Getty Images
Andriy Shevchenko
The Ukraine and Milan great, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2004, was also a promising golfer and has played several national tournaments. He was also handy in the boxking ring in his youth but elected to play football instead.
Foto: JAMIE SQUIRE / DIARIO AS
Paolo Maldini
The Milan and Italy legend spent 25 seasons at the San Siro but always had a soft spot for tennis and recently played in an ATP Challenger in Milan with doubles partner Stefano Landonio. After coming through the qualifiers, the pair were beaten 6-1, 6-1 i
Foto: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP
Paolo Maldini
The Milan and Italy legend spent 25 seasons at the San Siro but always had a soft spot for tennis and recently played in an ATP Challenger in Milan with doubles partner Stefano Landonio. After coming through the qualifiers, the pair were beaten 6-1, 6-1 i
Foto: MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP
Fabrizio Ravanelli
The former Italy striker went on to forge a career as a road race cyclist.
Foto: PHILLIPE LAURESON / REUTERS
Fabrizio Ravanelli
The former Italy striker went on to forge a career as a road race cyclist.
Mariano Pernía
The Argentina-born defender played for Recreativo, Getafe and Atlético Madrid and the Spanish national team before becoming a rally driver in his native country.
Foto: DIARIO AS / DIARIO AS
Mariano Pernía
The Argentina-born defender played for Recreativo, Getafe and Atlético Madrid and the Spanish national team before becoming a rally driver in his native country.
Foto: DIARIO AS / DIARIO AS
Curtis Woodhouse
A forerunner of Ferdinand's, Woodhouse played for Birmingham City before getting into the ring as a professional boxer.
Foto: DIARIO AS / DIARIO AS
Curtis Woodhouse
A forerunner of Ferdinand's, Woodhouse played for Birmingham City before getting into the ring as a professional boxer.
Foto: DIARIO AS / DIARIO AS
Rebecca Romero
Rebecca Romero won Olympic medals in both cycling and rowing.
Foto: ANDREA COMAS / REUTERS
Rebecca Romero
Rebecca Romero won Olympic medals in both cycling and rowing.
Foto: ANDREA COMAS / REUTERS
Ilhan Mansiz
Ilhan Mansiz played for Besiktas and was a member of the Turkey side that came third in the 2002 World Cup. After hanging up his boots he switched to blades and represented his country at the 2014 Winter Olympics as a figure skater.
Foto: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / AFP
