The former Quin helping Rio Ferdinand get in shape for his boxing bout

By Neale Harvey
Mel Deane used to pack one hell of a punch in the Harlequins midfield and now he is relishing the chance to utilise those pugilistic qualities after being enlisted as Rio Ferdinand’s fitness guru during the ex-England defender’s shock bid to become a professional boxer.
Deane, whose abrasive midfield contributions helped power Quins back into the Premiership following relegation in 2005, entered the fitness business following retirement and became acquainted with Ferdinand after the centre back joined QPR in 2014.
Ferdinand’s boxing venture is being dismissed as a gimmick, but Deane insists his client is deadly serious and is capable of cutting it as a cruiserweight.
Deane, 42, told The Rugby Paper: “Rio’s in very good nick; he’s powerful, he’s determined and is really putting his mind to it. Betfair came in and presented this opportunity and I’m looking forward to it, but I wouldn’t take it on if his attitude wasn’t right.
“When Rio came down from Manchester United to QPR, I actually trained his late-wife, Rebecca, so that’s how my connection with him came about. I’ll be working with Rio three times a week, while Richie Woodhall will be taking the boxing sessions.
“During the process he’ll have to earn his boxing licence, but we’re looking to get him in the ring after Christmas. It’s all about the journey – from defender to contender – and I’ve already thrown a few punches myself, so he knows what it’s about.”

Deane’s playing career also encompassed spells at Richmond, Sale and Connacht, since when he has specialised in fitness, operating out of the Athletic Ground.
Among his clients are TV presenters Kirsty Gallacher and Gabby Logan, while he still trains the young rugby players of Harrow School after playing a part in the development of Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola – “a pair of big units” as he describes them.
Irishman Deane said: “I was either going to be a publican or go into the fitness. I thought it would be an awful lot less stressful dealing with people who were not drunk and wanted to get fit, so here I am. Fitness was always my driving force as a player and I liked to think I was a horrible, hardy b*****d as a centre alongside Will Greenwood.”
Deane maintains contacts at Quins, adding: “I see Ollie Kohn, Ugo Monye and Jim Evans and it’s still a great club. Chris Robshaw and Mike Brown were starting out during that promotion season 11 years ago and it’s fantastic to see them still going.
“The two of them were beasts in the gym and it’s the top two inches that means so much in rugby and professional sport. Knowing what those boys went through, it’s no surprise to me that they’re still knocking it out for Harlequins and England.”