Many celebrities are known for their rigorous training routines, especially when they are preparing themselves for a new role or project, while for others, it is just a matter of trying to stay on track and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But besides those two ordinary reasons, some stars just fall in love with one particular kind of sport, and many seem to have fallen for one kind in particular, one that happens to be extremely tough and painful.
Boxing is the kind of sport that combines cardiovascular activity with motion and strength. It sharpens your senses, strengthens and stretches every muscle in your body, and overall, burns tons of calories off your daily intake! So why not give it a try? Here is a list of celebrities who tried and fell in love with boxing, and we bet you will too after seeing who’s into it and what it has done for their physiques.
Celebrities Who Gave Boxing A Try
Errol Flynn
The Australian born actor who achieved global recognition during Hollywood’s Golden Age when he appeared in many blockbuster hits alongside stars such as Olivia De Havilland, Alexis Smith, and others. In 1942, Flynn starred in the Gentleman Jim as the heavyweight boxing champion James J. Corbett. Even before the movie came out, Flynn picked up boxing as a hobby and soon enough he entered the world of amateur boxing in 1927. A well-known fight of Errol’s was actually outside of the official ring. In 1945, just back from the war, John Huston and Flynn met in an ordinary Hollywood party hosted by Oscar winner producer David O. Selznick, when the two started throwing punches in the air.
Errol Flynn
Will Smith
in 2001, Will played the role of renowned boxer Muhammad Ali in the movie Ali, directed by Michael Mann. In preparation for his epic performance as Muhammad Ali, Will trained rigorously adding 30 pounds of pure muscles and total of 200 pounds in weight to his 6’2” solid body. In addition to learning how to move and punch as a boxer, he certainly looked like one who has spent a lot of time in the ring over the years. Smith trained and fought for over a year to get ready for this role, that includes, learning boxing techniques, increasing endurance and speed. Smith began incorporating boxing into his day-to-day workout routine. In 2016, while on the set for Collateral Beauty he even entered the ring with WBC women’s world champion Alicia Napoleon, to learn. He learnt that playing the character of a pro-boxer is not the same as actually boxing with one!
Will Smith
Tony Danza
From pro-fighter to pro-actor, 69 years old Brooklyn-born, Tony Danza, first stepped into the ring right after college, after having multiple street fights as preparation. Tony said his friends signed him up as a prank to the Golden Gloves competition, where he actually made it into the semi-finals. Danza had his first official fight in 1979 and had a total of 15 fights with a 12-3 record. Juggling between television and the ring, Danza was cast to the TV show Taxi right after college, then he starred on the television series Who’s The Boss? and remained an active actor until today where he plays the father of a NYPD cop in The Good Cop on Netflix.
Tony Danza
Dean Martin
The heyday of the King of Cool was something everyone dreams of. Dean Martin was part of the funniest comedy duo in show business, movie star, tv show hit, and one of the most successful vocalists of his time. But before all that, when he was just 15, Martin picked up boxing as a hobby. And before reaching the peak of fame, he used to set fights with his friends, even making a little business on the side, charging people who wanted to watch. He even had the coolest stage name one can think of: Kid Crotchet. Martin could probably have made it as a welterweight boxer if he hadn’t chosen to focus on his acting career; his record was 24-6.
Dean Martin
Nate Robinson
This former NBA player was in the best basketball league in the world for 10 years before going overseas and playing for 2 more years until he officially retired in 2018. At the age of 36, Nate decided to put his efforts into boxing, and he is getting ready to enter the ring officially. Robinson is training to become a semi-professional boxer which includes running 6-7 miles per day, and two training sessions a day. In the morning and evening sessions he works on boxing techniques with trainer Francisco “Paco” Reyes, and strength and conditioning with Chris Denina. Nate’s first fight took place on November 28th against YouTuber Jake Paul, where he was knocked out and lost the match. Robinson isn’t giving up and is now working harder to overcome his unfortunate baptism by fire.
Nate Robinson
Rio Ferdinand
The former captain of the England national team, as well as a Leeds and Manchester United star player, is known as one of the best soccer players, with 14 trophies and 6 Premier League titles under his belt. The 42 years old athlete decided to take up boxing as a coping mechanism and as a new needed career path after he lost his wife and mother of their two children, Rebecca, to cancer in 2015. Ferdinand was offered the “Defender to Contender” Challenge by Betfair, and accepted, going for the belt. Unfortunately, he was denied by the British Boxing Board of Control, who thought he didn’t appreciate the risks and that it was just a publicity stunt, even though Ferdinand said he had a lot of respect for the sport. Rio was so disappointed by the decision to not grant him a license, especially after training 4-5 times a week. He claimed he never felt better physically and mentally but despite that, he was forced to hang his gloves before even had the chance to step into the ring.
Rio Ferdinand
Mickey Rourke
Actor, screenwriter, and boxer Mickey starred in many drama, action, and thriller movies. But his love and passion began in the ring, and he became a professional boxer in 1991. Rourke began training at an early age and won his first boxing match as a flyweight. In between 1964-1973, Mickey had a 27-3 record, and after suffering a severe concussion, the doctor recommended taking a year off – that’s when he started acting.
Mickey Rourke
Andrew Flintoff
Although only participating in one match, the all-round cricketer who played for the England National team, as well as overseas, won that match! Flintoff surprised all fans when he appeared inside the ring in 2012 after spending 11 years on the cricket field. The former England skipper faced the American boxer Richard Dawson and had a stupefying debut that made fans crave more. Will we see him inside the ring again? The 47 years old who is now a television and radio presenter never officially hung up his gloves, so we can still hope for a new match.
Andrew Flintoff
Sonny Bill Williams
The Oakland, New Zealand born, professional rugby player, Sonny Bill Williams, is lesser known as a boxer, although he actually spent some time in the ring as a heavyweight boxer. He began his rookie year in 2004 and even won the RLIF Award for Rookie of the Year. Williams had a stalwart 7-0 record after he won all of his matches. He was named as the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association Heavyweight Champion, and World Boxing Association International Heavyweight Champion, but unfortunately, he was stripped of these titles after he didn’t answer to a challenge. Williams had his first rugby match in 2009, and during his rugby career, he stated that boxing definitely helped make him a better athlete and helped build up his confidence on the rugby field.
Sonny Bill Williams
Kim Kardashian
In 2009, Kim stepped into the ring for the first time for a charity boxing event that took place at the Commerce Casino. The Kardashian Charity Knockout got Kim to put on the gloves and step into the ring. All the event’s funds that were raised for the event went to the Dream Foundation, a foundation that makes the wishes of terminally ill patients come true, and the entire Kardashian Family participated. Kim faced actress Tamara Frapasella and lost her debut match ending with a black eye, but a lot of money that went to charity, and Kim said that training for the event was an awesome experience, really enhancing her overall fitness.
