Tony Bellew has slated Rio Ferdinand’s plans to enter professional boxing

Not a fan.

When Rio Ferdinand announced his intention to fight professionally, the former Manchester United and West Ham defender said: "the chance to prove myself in a new sport was a real draw. Boxing is an amazing sport for the mind and the body. I have always had a passion for it and this challenge is the perfect opportunity to show people what’s possible." He added: “It’s a challenge I’m not taking lightly, clearly not everyone can become a professional boxer, but with the team of experts Betfair are putting together and the drive I have to succeed, anything is possible.” Since that announcement was made, various people have offered the BT pundit their best wishes as he trains with former WBC super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall, but various members of the boxing community have spoken out against Ferdinand's decision to step into the ring. Granted, there are still some questions that have to be answered before Ferdinand fights. Speaking on BBC Breakfast recently, Ferdinand said: "I am not looking to have a career here. I am looking to have a professional fight and I will see where I go then. It might grab me and say 'I want to stay in here. "I need to get a license first. I am taking this seriously, this is not a joke, hopefully I will get a license, go on to become a professional and fight someone. Boxing can't be a gimmick. If I take it lightly I will get hurt." One person that has an issue with Ferdinand stepping into the ring is, Tony Bellew. "He’s making a mockery of our sport. This sport is not a game, it’s a serious sport and can be very dangerous.  This is attention seeking of the highest order. I understand that he might have frustrations that he wants to get out. But I believe he could do that in the gym, why does he need to go in a boxing ring?  He’s a healthy man with a beautiful family and I have huge respect for him after watching the documentary on his family. But this stinks of desperation and not being able to let go out of the spotlight." said Bellew to Betsafe. As Ferdinand steps up his training ahead of his potential professional debut, Bellew has the rematch against David Haye in his sights on December 17. Tony Bellew is a Betsafe ambassador, for all the odds and betting markets on the Bellew v Haye rematch, please go to: www.betsafe.com