FOOTBALLERS should always think about the career path that they want to follow when they retire.
Some people choose to become coaches, while others decide to invest in properties.
Marcin Wasilewski will begin a career as a cage fighter
Marcin Wasilewski, a former Leicester defender, is the latest ex-pro to switch shin pads to mouth guards.
The 40-year-old Pole has retired from football in November 2020, and is now ready to go into cage fighting.
An ex-Bolton and Hearts defender Blazej Augyn bout is being planned.
SunSport profiles five other footballers who turned to fighting in this article.
Rio Ferdinand
England legend Ferdinand had many glittering moments in his football career, but his boxing days ended before they even began.
A betting company sponsored the former defender to enter the ring in September 2017. However, the ex-defender was rudely denied a license.
Ferdinand's second career was not allowed by the British Boxing Board of Control.
The Manchester United hero quickly decided to end his boxing comeback.
He stated, "It is with heavy hearts that I am hanging up the gloves."
It is difficult to accept that I will not be allowed to show my abilities to the BBBofC by the standard assessment given to other people.
Fast forward to October 2020, and Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn declared his desire to host an Old Trafford match between Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.
Katie Taylor
Taylor, who is arguably the best female boxer in the world, was also an ex-International footballer for Republic of Ireland.
Peamount United's ex-winger was a star for the late 2000s, but she missed her team's FAI Women's Cup final. She was crowned Europe's top amateur fighter in 2009, however.
Taylor won 11 caps for her nation, scoring twice before choosing to concentrate on boxing a decade back.
Marie Curtin, a former teammate, later told the Mirror that Taylor "would have excelled at the highest level" if she had stayed in football.
Curtin said, "There were no obstacles. Her mentality is so strong, and it's important to have leaders like her on your team if you want to win.
Taylor still has fond memories of her playing days and even a crunching tackle she posted on Twitter several years ago.
Wayne Bridge
Bridge, an ex-Chelsea man and left-back who was not the most aggressive of his time, showed his passion for boxing when he trained in it two years ago.
Spencer Matthews, a Made In Chelsea star and Sport Relief star, was the opponent for the defender in a match.
Bridge opened the three-round match with a tight finish, before launching a torrent of punches.
Matthews landed on the deck twice, but he made it to the last bell. Bridge won the match with points.
The 33-year-old former England international footballer, who also appeared on I'm A Celeb in the past, has retired from football at age 33.
He was unable to continue boxing after that one fight for charity and now refers to himself as a "stay-at-home dad" to his two children, Frankie and Frankie.
Leon McKenzie
McKenzie was a star forward for Coventry, Peterborough, and Norwich on the pitch. He would go on to make a decent career as a super-middleweight.
He had hung up his boots in January 2013 and he put on the gloves six months later.
He started a nine-fight streak that began with a win over John Mason at Bethnal Green’s York Hall.
McKenzie suffered a defeat in an English title fight against JahmaineSmyle before succumbing to Cello Renda in nine rounds.
Ex-striker joined forces with Steve Harmison, former England cricketer, to create a talkSPORT podcast about sports stars' postretirement plans.
He stated that he was trying to keep hold of his identity as a former professional boxer and footballer for a while. This was my identity. "I accept my position now."
Curtis Woodhouse
Woodhouse is one of the most convincing boxers who has made the switch from football to boxing.
Birmingham spent PS1million to sign the Sheffield United midfielder in 2001. He had previously played for Peterborough, Hull, and many other clubs.
He quit the game at 26 to start a long career as a ringman.
Woodhouse was convicted of assault, but he quickly began to combine both his sports.
He won 24 fights and fought 12 rounds with Frankie Gavin to win the WBO Intercontinental Welterweight belt.
Before retiring in 2017, The Driffield Destroyer was awarded English and British titles. He can now be found managing the non-league Gainsborough Trinity.
