Cult hero Akinfenwa to become boxing ring announcer for night

Football cult legend Adebayo Akinfenwa will be the ring announcer for Lyndon Arthur’s fight against last-minute replacement Boris Crighton.

Akinfenwa has signed a deal with Wasserman Boxing to MC the event, which is set to air live on Channel 5 tonight. The 40-year-old striker became a cult hero during his playing career, making more than 650 football league appearances before announcing his retirement last year.

Akinfenwa is known as ‘The Beast’, having been ranked as the strongest footballer in popular video game series FIFA for several years. He recently came out of retirement to sign for eighth-tier Isthmian League side Faversham Town, but is continuing to forge a career away from the football pitch.

“Boxing better get ready for some Beast Mode energy,” Akinfenwa said following the announcement. “When I retired from football last year, I made it clear that I wanted to try my hand at a lot of different things, and being a big-time boxing MC was top of that list.

JUST IN: Franklin shares theory on reason Joshua picked him over Whyte

“Everyone knows I’m a huge boxing fan and I cannot wait to bring my Beast energy to Bolton on Friday night, on a huge night for Lyndon Arthur, live on Channel 5, with Wasserman Boxing.

“The atmosphere on Friday night is going to be electric and I cannot wait to announce the fighters to the ring.” Wasserman chief Kalle Sauerland added: “Big time boxing on Channel 5 just got a whole lot bigger!

“We are thrilled to have Adebayo announcing the fighters to ring, live on Channel 5, on Friday night and the Beast Mode energy he is going to bring will crank up the excitement levels for Lyndon Arthur’s dangerous fight against Crighton.

“Adebayo became a huge fan favourite in football and we know the boxing fans are going to love him!” The event was originally set to be headlined by Arthur taking on Braian Suarez for the vacant IBO light heavyweight title.

However, Suarez failed a pre-fight medical and Crighton was drafted in as a late replacement. Arthur boasts a 19-1 record, with his sole loss coming to Anthony Yarde in 2021, while Crighton is 10-1.