From cricket to boxing! Freddie Flintoff is set to take on the heavyweight world as he reveals plans to fight
He's known for his batting skills as England's ex-cricket captain.
But now it seems Freddie Flintoff wants to put himself to the test again in a different sport.
The 34-year-old has announced plans to become a heavyweight boxer.
He has been secretly working with ring legend Barry McGuigan for the past month in a bid to prepare for his debut, which will take place on 30 November.
The star said: 'This is an amazing opportunity to try a sport that I love, to be tutored by a man I respect and admire and, at the age of 34, the chance to be a professional sportsman again.
'It's a huge challenge - probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short timeframe.
Swapping a bat for a boxing glove! Freddie Flintoff has revealed plans to take up heavyweight boxing... with his first match to take place in November
'I have a long road ahead and a lot of work in front of me. The stakes are high.'
Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff, who famously led the England team to victory against Australia in the 2006 Ashes, retired from cricket two years ago.
Meanwhile McGuigan - whose son Shane is training Flintoff - added: 'It is an enormous undertaking to have a professional fight having no experience whatsoever.
'It is even more demanding when you're a legend in another sport.
'The pressure for Freddie, myself and my son is phenomenal given the little time we have.
'But I'm convinced Freddie will make a successful pro debut as a boxer.'
Shane McGuigan has also trained professional boxer Carl Frampton.
Flintoff's team said they would be seeking a professional licence for the fight, although the British Board of Boxing Control said it had not yet received an application or interviewed him.
His preparations for the fight are to be documented in a special two-part programme - The Gloves Are Off... - to be aired on Sky 1, which will also screen a one-hour post-fight special.
The bout at Manchester Arena will also be shown on boxing channel BoxNation.
Celia Taylor, head of factual features for Sky, said: 'Freddie's always been a boxing fan but this is a whole different ball game.
'Sky customers are in for a rollercoaster ride - there will be major ups, dramatic downs, bloody noses and very real tears.'
Tickets for the fight - against an as-yet unknown opponent - go on sale on Friday.
Although it's not the first time Flintoff has tried out different sporting activities.
Earlier this year he got involved with comedian John Bishop's Sport Relief challenge.
The sports man helped Bishop row 26 miles across the English channel, along with Davina McCall and Denise Lewis.
He's known for his batting skills as England's ex-cricket captain.
But now it seems Freddie Flintoff wants to put himself to the test again in a different sport.
The 34-year-old has announced plans to become a heavyweight boxer.
He has been secretly working with ring legend Barry McGuigan for the past month in a bid to prepare for his debut, which will take place on 30 November.
The star said: 'This is an amazing opportunity to try a sport that I love, to be tutored by a man I respect and admire and, at the age of 34, the chance to be a professional sportsman again.
'It's a huge challenge - probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short timeframe.
Swapping a bat for a boxing glove! Freddie Flintoff has revealed plans to take up heavyweight boxing... with his first match to take place in November
Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff, who famously led the England team to victory against Australia in the 2006 Ashes, retired from cricket two years ago.
Meanwhile McGuigan - whose son Shane is training Flintoff - added: 'It is an enormous undertaking to have a professional fight having no experience whatsoever.
'It is even more demanding when you're a legend in another sport.
'The pressure for Freddie, myself and my son is phenomenal given the little time we have.
'But I'm convinced Freddie will make a successful pro debut as a boxer.'
Shane McGuigan has also trained professional boxer Carl Frampton.
Flintoff's team said they would be seeking a professional licence for the fight, although the British Board of Boxing Control said it had not yet received an application or interviewed him.
His preparations for the fight are to be documented in a special two-part programme - The Gloves Are Off... - to be aired on Sky 1, which will also screen a one-hour post-fight special.
The bout at Manchester Arena will also be shown on boxing channel BoxNation.
Celia Taylor, head of factual features for Sky, said: 'Freddie's always been a boxing fan but this is a whole different ball game.
'Sky customers are in for a rollercoaster ride - there will be major ups, dramatic downs, bloody noses and very real tears.'
Tickets for the fight - against an as-yet unknown opponent - go on sale on Friday.
Although it's not the first time Flintoff has tried out different sporting activities.
Earlier this year he got involved with comedian John Bishop's Sport Relief challenge.
The sports man helped Bishop row 26 miles across the English channel, along with Davina McCall and Denise Lewis.
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