Andrew Flintoff to become boxer for television series

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has agreed to compete against a professional heavyweight boxer for a television series.

The 34-year-old will train for four months while being filmed by Sky before appearing in a bout with an unnamed opponent in Manchester, broadcast by BoxNation.

Flintoff will be coached by former featherweight world champion Barry McGuigan and his son, Shane, for the three-part series.

The ex-Lancashire ace said: "It's a huge challenge - probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short time frame."

The series, called 'The Gloves Are Off', will include an episode where Flintoff decides whether to pursue a career in boxing.