Heartbreaking reason behind Rio Ferdinand becoming a professional boxer

/COURTESY

• Rio Ferdinand is pursuing a new career in boxing
• The ex-footballer, who is taking the sport up professionally, admitted it was a way of 'channelling his aggression'

After two painful years grieving for his wife Rebecca’s tragic death from cancer , Rio ­Ferdinand is coming out fighting with a new career as a boxer.

The former Manchester United and England defender showed the first signs of making a fresh start when he began a new relationship with TOWIE star Kate Wright, 26.

But as he announced his plans to be a professional boxer, Rio admitted it was a way of “channelling his aggression” and coping with the grief he still feels after Rebecca died of breast cancer at the age of 34.

Rio with his late wife Rebecca/COURTESY

Rio, 38, whose beloved mum Janice St Fort, 58, died of the same disease in July , said: “With grief you need to have a focus in life. This is a focus.

“This is me having something to channel aggression and the different emotions that have arisen through the events of the last few years.”

Rio, who has three children, Lorenz, 10, Tate, eight, and Tia, five, admitted his plan took some people by surprise.