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Flintoff talks debut win, hints at return to cricket

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
Debutant may stand down after 39-38 victory

Former England all-rounder Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has given an indication that his Friday night win at Manchester Arena against Richard Dawson may be he last in professional boxing.

The 34 year-old, who took up the sport in a bid to bury some demons and fulfil a lifetime love for boxing by competing legitimately, expressed his relief af coming through the experience unscathed with a four-round triumph.

Speaking in an interview with Lancashire Cricket reporter Chris Ostick for the Manchester Evening News, Flintoff also hinted that his bout would be a one-off, although a final decision has not yet been made.

“I proved a lot of things in this fight,” said Flintoff. “I have had a few personal battles, and every time I walked through the ropes during training it has been a battle.

“I don’t want the adulation of an open-top bus tour, but I know myself that I gave it everything I have and it has worked out well for me, when it might not have done.

“You have to work at anything in life. This has given me the drive and determination to apply to whatever I do next. Whatever that is, I know now I can push on and when it gets tough I can plough through.

“It has been a lifestyle change for me and also a change of path in my life.

“I certainly got the full experience of boxing. I got a black eye, tasted the canvas and won,” he continued.

“I had my Lancashire (cricket) shirt on walking into the ring and it felt as good as anything to wear it again.

“It is always an open door for Lancashire, as far as I am concerned, in terms of helping them out. I might be doing things with them around the Ashes next year.”

Flintoff has been criticised in some quarters of the profession for what a small minority have called ‘belittling the sport’ which the TV star was quick to dismiss as he contemplates his next career move.

“People are protective of the sport, and I can understand that, I would be the same about cricket. 

“I am not sure some of the criticism has been for the correct reasons, there seems to have been a bit of headline stealing and a chance for people to get their name in the papers.

“Some of the criticism I can understand, people want to respect this sport, that’s fine. But some of the cheap swipes I can’t be bothered with.

“This was never about degrading boxing. We wanted to do it properly and show boxing for the fantastic sport it is. At times boxers don’t get the credit they deserve,” he added.

To read the full interview with Freddie, click here menmedia.co.uk/boxing/s/flintoff

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