Having knocked down many an off stump during his time as England cricket captain, Andrew Flintoff hopes to do the same to opponents when he takes to the boxing ring later this year.

Flintoff’s preparations for his debut fight, scheduled for Nov. 30 at the Manchester Arena, are to be televised in a documentary ‘The Gloves Are Off’.

The 6ft 4ins sportsman, who would box as a heavyweight, has yet to apply to the British Boxing Board for a licence, but is being trained by ex-world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan.

“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 become a professional sportsman again,” he said.

“It’s a huge challenge – probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short time frame. I have a long road ahead and a lot of work in front of me. The stakes are high.”

Should Flintoff’s boxing career take off, a fight against another multi-sport titan could be in the offing – All Black rugby player Sonny Bill Williams is the reigning New Zealand heavyweight champion.