Former NFL running back Frank Gore will make his professional boxing debut next month for UFC star Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Promotions.
After losing out to Deron Williams in their exhibition fight last December, Gore has decided to turn professional Gore and will compete on May 14 for Gamebred Promotions, a company that is owned and operated by UFC star Masvidal. His opponent is yet to be revealed.
On the undercard of Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley 2, Gore lost a split decision to former Williams. The former NBA player immediately announced he was "one and done" after the win, but his opponent Gore is going down the opposite route.
The 38-year-old started boxing in 2017 to get fit for an upcoming NFL season, but stayed committed to the sport after finding a passion for it. Gore admitted that he was tempted to step into the ring amid the rise of celebrity and YouTube boxing.
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"I had to question myself, did I want to do it. With this new stuff going on, Jake Paul and the celebrity stuff. [My coach] was like 'I feel like you should try'. I was [at the gym] every day working out and I loved doing it. I felt like I got good at it," he told Showtime Sports.
Gore holds the NFL record for most games played by a running back and is third on the league's all-time rushing yards list. The 38-year-old Gore is currently a free agent who last played for the New York Jets in 2020.
He admitted that he considers himself a fighter instead of a celebrity boxer. Gore detailed his disciplined schedule that even includes abstaining himself from sex, a practice several boxers such as Mike Tyson swore by during his fighting career.
"I'm doing everything they doing now. I'm training, eating right, jogging, boxing in the morning and running at night, not having sex. I'm trying to everything right. I'm not gonna lie, it's tough. This sport is tough," he continued.
"I want to look good, I want to win. Each time when I come to work out, whatever my coaches tell me to do I'm giving 110 per cent. It's only me in the ring, I can't hide behind my old linemen, I can't hide behind my receivers, I gotta be ready because it's just me and another man on the other side."
No main event has been announced for the Gamebred Promotions card on May 14, which takes place in Jackson, Mississippi. The event will feature a mix of boxing and MMA fights.
