Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski may be the first NFL player to cash in as a professional athlete in another sport once the lockout becomes official. The former Notre Dame star will be added to the Miguel Cotto-Ricardo Mayorga undercard on March 12th to fight his second professional bout, as Pro Football Talk reported.
Zbikowski has a deep boxing background, having begun fighting at the age of nine and amassing a 75-15 record as an amateur. Back in 2006, he fought his first professional fight knocking out Robert Bell 49 seconds into the first round. Zbikowski was still a defensive back and special teams player at Notre Dame during his first fight and he had some of his Fighting Irish teammates supporting him in his corner.
This time around, Tommy will be an injury replacement for Christy Martin who was attempting a comeback to the ring at the age of 43. According to BoxingScene.com, Martin had to pull out because of broken ribs suffered during training.
Dan Rafael reports that Zbikowski, who first fought as a heavyweight, will box as a cruiserweight on the 12th. Only two obstacles remain before the fight can officially be schedule. One, the Nevada State Athletic Commission needs to approve Tommy’s request for a boxing license. Two, the lockout needs to happen so he’ll be free from his contract with the Baltimore Ravens. I’m sure both will happen without a problem and I can’t wait to see him in the ring.
