Andrew Flintoff v Richard Dawson: Freddie's ready for big fight night

Flintoff makes his pro boxing debut on Friday night

Andrew Flintoff makes his much publicised professional fight debut on Friday night. There's little form to go on but Sumeet Paul paints the picture...

Cricketer-turned-boxer...it isn't quite the sporting evolution that many expected of Andrew Flintoff.

The reality of the former England and Lancashire all-rounder's new quest will become brutally apparent when he steps into the ring for his first professional fight on Friday night. Under the watchful eye of former featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan, the two-time Ashes winner takes on American Richard Dawson after months of intense training.

Can he silence the doubters with an assured, and more importantly, winning performance? Flintoff is available to back at 2.526/4, with Dawson at 1.8810/11 and the Draw at 12.011/1.

Boxing promoter Frank Warren has described the event as 'car-crash television', while Flintoff himself was reportedly left visibly disturbed having left a sparring partner rocking with what
McGuigan calls 'his big right hand'. While the Manchester Arena saw a hero fall last weekend in an ill-fated comeback, Flintoff is determined his foray into the boxing world doesn't end in similar fashion.

At 34 years of age, he has dismissed speculation that the fight is merely a TV stunt, and revealed the training and preparation involved has been the hardest thing he has ever done.

Aside from McGuigan, Flintoff has also gathered expert advice from the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard and Mike Tyson, with the American boxing legends visiting him in the gym during his training for the bout and lending him some words of encouragement.

In contrast, little is known of his opponent, with 23 year-old Dawson unbeaten in his two pro fights thus far. However, the Oklahoma native who speaks of his tough upbringing as the inspiration behind deciding to don the gloves, was quick to point out that the four two-minute rounds fight is no joke and he will be heading to Manchester to win.

"I definitely want to knock him out. I'm not going to play with him, I want to get in and out. I don't have time to put on a show because we're in his town and I don't trust the judges."

With a spot in the commentary box on hold, Flintoff hopes to make the unnatural progression from padding up, to receiving and dishing out pain, taking a leaf out of Adam Hollioake's book after he ventured into the MMA world back in April.

He knows the task ahead will be ferociously different from his past and is intent on performing well not only for himself but to uphold the reputation of his much celebrated trainer.

Doubts remain as to whether it will produce a successful outcome, having been fast-tracked into the professional domain, the former England cricket captain will have a tough time persuading the expected 5,000 in attendance and those watching on TV he is cut out to make it in the boxing world.

Having battled depression and grown restless in his enforced retirement, Flintoff is back but is taking a huge gamble by stepping in the ring.

Recommended Bet

Back Andrew Flintoff @ 2.3811/8