Adam Hollioake, the former England all-rounder, is all set to embrace a career as a professional boxer and cage-fighter in Queensland, Australia. This was confirmed by the former England ODI captain himself.
Speaking from Australia, Hollioake said, “As far as I am aware, I am the only international cricketer to fight professionally as a boxer or as a Mixed Martial Artist (MMA).”
“There was an England cricket captain back in 1908 who won a gold at the Olympics, but of course the Olympics only allows amateur boxers,” he added.
“As for MMA, I am certain I am the only cricketer to ever turn professional at it. I specialise in boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as well as Greco-Roman wrestling. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a ground martial art which is similar to judo except for that it is more based on the ground than standing up. Judo is also an element of MMA.
It is all of the martial arts mixed together to form a no-rules competition. Judo is also amateur and there is no striking while standing up or on the floor,” explained Hollioake.
Hollioake retired from cricket a few years ago. “When I retired, I wanted to return to Australia to spend more time with my family and be able to watch my kids grow up. I wasn’t good enough to play at the international level,” he said. Hollioake will make his M Arts debut (the official name for cage-fighting) on May 5.