Dirk Kuyt, boxing clever
The former Liverpool player hung up his boots in 2018. Now 41, he will be entering a boxing ring for the first time in Rotterdam in October.
Dirk Kuyt called time on his playing days in 2018, bringing to an end an outstanding career which brought him success in the Eredevisie, Premier League and Turkish Super Lig. He was part of the Liverpool side which ended as runners-up in the Champions League in 2007 and at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Today, he works as a pundit on Dutch television.
At 41, Kuyt has decided to take up a new challenge. This autumn he will enter the boxing ring for the first time. Dutch daily Algemmen Dagblad (AD) reports that the ex-player has accepted an offer to fight at the ‘Hit It’ event, promoted by kickboxer Rico Verhoeven which will take place in Rotterdam in October. The world heavyweight champion will be back in action in October and Kuyt’s fight will be one of the event teasers leading up to the headline fight. Organisers have yet to confirm which celebrity rival the ex-Liverpool and Feyenoord player will be taking on.
“As a former footballer, I know what it’s like to compete inside a big stadium. It’s been four years since I quit football. And, sure, it’s been a while since I’ve felt that tension and the adrenaline rush to win a game. I’ve practiced quite a few other sports, like tennis, padel and fitness. But getting into a boxing ring is something completely new for me. So I’m really looking forward to going into battle with another celebrity. Now I have to start training hard,” Kuyt explained on Humberto Tan’s talkshow .
Lots of players have donned the gloves during their individual training sessions - and shared images of their workouts on social media - including Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema and Fernando Torres (Kuyt’s old team mate at Liverpool).