Ex-EPL player wins British boxing title - and a $A460,000 wager!
English Premier League footballer-turned-boxer Curtis Woodhouse fulfilled his dream of becoming British champion on Saturday - and collected more than $A460,000 from a bet made eight years ago.
The former Birmingham City and Sheffield United midfielder, who gave up his soccer career to become a professional boxer in 2006, beat Darren Hamilton in Hull to win the British light-welterweight title in what he says is his last fight.
And the victory saw him scoop £250,000 ($A463,000) from a £5000 bet he placed on himself at 50-1 that he would one day win a British title.
"I can't believe it," Woodhouse said. "When I said I was going to be a professional boxer, everyone laughed at me.
"I had the audacity to say I'd be British champion. I'd like to dedicate this to my late dad.
"How can I ever top what happened tonight? I wanted to bow out as champion and I plan to stick to it."
Woodhouse made worldwide headlines last year when he turned up outside the house of a man who had been abusing him on Twitter for months.
Curtis Woodhouse during his Birmingham City days, in action against Manchester United's David Beckham in 2002. Pic: Getty Images
