SHEFFIELD United star Nick Montgomery will be missing from his normal ringside seat when former teammate Curtis Woodhouse steps through the ropes on Saturday evening.
'Monty' is an avid supporter of the footballer-turned-boxer and would like to have watched his pal's latest contest, against Swansea-based Chris Brophy, at Bramall Lane's Platinum Suite.
"Monty is on holiday in Dubai or Mauritius ... or both ... while I'm stuck here," laughed Woodhouse.
"That's the difference between football and boxing!"
And it's not the only one, admits the unbeaten 28-year-old welterweight, who played at the Lane from 1997 to 2001.
"Training is so different; much harder," he said
"A lot of the United lads are interested in my training programme. I was 13 stone 2lbs when I left Bramall Lane and I fight at 10st 10lbs.
"To be honest, I never applied myself during pre-season football training. I was last one to arrive and first one to slope off at the end.
"Now, in the run-up to a fight, I go through six weeks of torture. But I love it!."
Woodhouse once shared digs in Millhouses with Leeds-born Monty, aged 26.
"Fancy having riff-raff like me in a place like Millhouses," he chortles.
"Looking back, I have to say that Monty is the fittest footballer I have ever played with. He can run all day.
"He was always training, willing to do extra stuff. That's why he has had such a good career and been at United for eight years.
"The lad is mega-fit and should serve as an inspiration to any kid wanting to go into football. He's done well for himself.
"He has a nice house, a nice car and I say good luck to him.
"He works hard to entertain 20-odd thousand fans every week."
Other United players are expected to back Woodhouse as he enters the ring in Blades colours on Saturday.
Tickets: 07799 456400.
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MOREOUCH!! - Sheffield Tae Kown Do expert pole-axes opponent to take gold: CLICK HERE TO SEE KNOCKOUT VIDEO FOOTAGECapacity for more: Wednesday and South Yorkshire rivals looking to lure more fans to half-empty groundsBlades make Chengdu earthquake pledgeTime to change play-offs: READ JAMES SHIELD'S VIEWS ON FOOTBALL'S 'LOTTERY' Football headlines.More Blades.More Owls.More Spireites.More Rovers.More Reds.More Millers.More Ice Hockey.More rugby.More boxing.Sports columnists.All sport categories.The full article contains 429 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
