Ex-cricketer Flintoff denies switch to boxing is ‘TV stunt’

ANDREW FLINTOFF denies his reinvention as a boxer demeans the sport, with trainer Barry McGuigan also mounting a fierce defence of the move.

Flintoff will make professional debut his in Manchester on November 30 in a four-round fight against novice American Richard Dawson, who has won both of his bouts.

Strong opposition within boxing has greeted the exEngland cricket captain’s decision to swap sports.

Frank War ren and rising British heavyweight Danny Price described it as “car crash TV”, while Frank Maloney branded it a “scandal”.

Maloney also called for British Boxing Board of Control chairman Charles Giles to be sacked for approving the 34-year-old’s license.

Flintoff, who lost 45lbs during a four-month training camp filmed for a threepart series to be screened on Sky1HD, insists his motives are honourable.

“You couldn’t go through this for a TV stunt,” he said.

“If I was looking for a publicity stunt I’d have picked something easier. There’s other things I could have done.

“There’s been criticism of things I’ve done in the past. I’m just getting my head down and doing the best I can.

“I appreciate that people want to protect the sport they’re involved in. I’d be the same with cricket.

“I’m hoping this is something where boxing is celebrated because it’s not my intention to cheapen the sport or show it up.”

McGuigan added: “What we’re doing is the opposite to cheapening the sport, it’s promoting it. You see the pain and anguish Freddie goes though.”