Andrew Flintoff’s fight flirtation

England allrounder Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff was one of the characters of modern cricket. He was a matchwinner but afraid of the dark. He got drunk and fell off a pedalo (paddle boat) in the Caribbean sea during the 2007 World Cup. And after ankle and knee injuries hastened his exit from the game in 2010, he has been seen in a variety of avatars, including a boxer.

Flintoff became a boxer in 2012, that too in the heavyweight category. His plans were met with cynicism and fear. Many thought it was a publicity stunt. And former middleweight world champ Marvin Hagler advised him to be cautious given the brutal nature of the sport. “You should do boxing fi rst and then cricket,” Hagler said. “At least you’re not getting punched around anymore. I just say good luck to him and keep your head down and your hands up.”

While the venture wasn’t free of the publicity angle, Flintoff did put in the hard work. He lost 20kg in a four month training program. And when the hour came, defeated his opponent Richard Dawson in four rounds in the bout at the Manchester Arena.

But Flintoff realised boxing did not come naturally to him, and never fought again. He is now one of the star hosts of the television sports quiz show The League of Their Own.