In these recent years, we’ve seen a lot of MMA fighters crossing over to boxing. We’ve also seen several boxers try their luck at MMA but this pales in comparison. In an even more surprising turn, former Manchester United soccer player Patrice Evra confirmed that he will be making a boxing debut .
Evra previously performed as a soccer player for the France national team. The defender confirmed the news about his upcoming boxing debut on social media on Thursday.
He will be boxing against YouTube star Adam Saleh on April 30 at the O2 Arena in London. This is another match on the infamous card pitting the Iranian Hulk and Martyn Ford.
“This fight will be April 30 at The O2 Arena in London,” he said.
“So I’m going to need my whole UK family to pull up and show their love, from not just London but all over the UK I need you guys because this is going to be really crazy.”
Evra retired from soccer or football, as it’s referred to in Europe, back in 2019. While 40 would be too old for most men to pick up a new skill, Evra had previously trained boxing and posted videos of himself hitting the pads.
In a separate interview with Boxstar UK , the French star shared his admiration for boxing
“I’m really excited to participate for the first time ever in my life in a boxing match, because I always had so much respect for people boxing.”
“It is not just about power and strength, it is also about strategy and technique — It’s like a chess game.”
“What I am the most excited for is the training technique, because the way they train is completely different to how football players train. I am really excited to work hard, to challenge myself, and to get out of my comfort zone.”
“It is a massive opportunity for me. Of course, I want to have fun, like with everything I do, but I also want to make sure I show that I respect this sport.”
While Evra is making his debut, his opponent Adam Saleh has had a couple of boxing bouts under his belt. He won two and had a draw.
Evra made a total of 379 appearances for Manchester United and also played for other huge clubes in the sport including West Ham, Juventus, Monaco, and Marseille.
Evra vs Adams bout will be on the undercard of the heavyweight showdown between Martyn Ford and Sajad Gharibi, better known as the Iranian Hulk.