Vikings' Edwards announces foray into boxing

Ray Edwards reportedly is the latest NFL player who will give boxing a try.

The Minnesota Vikings defensive end, who has never taken part in a sanctioned bout, will make his pro debut on May 20 at the Grand Casino Hinckley in Hinckley, Minn. His opponent has not been determined.

Edwards told the Minnesota Star Tribune that he incorporated boxing into his training regimen four years ago and became more serious about it two years later, when the NFL lockout became a realistic possibility.

"It's something I've always wanted to do in my life," Edwards told the newspaper. "I can't put my eggs all in one basket, waiting for the NFL to settle the lockout. You never know when this lockout is going to end.”

Many football players have given boxing a try. None have had great success.

Of course, Edwards, 26, believes he’ll be different in spite of an utter lack of experience.

"There's always going to be people tell you that you can't do something," Edwards told the Star Tribune. "It's up to you to make sure you prove them wrong by going out there and believing in yourself. I'm not trying to go out there just to say I tried it. I'm going out there trying to be the best."

Edwards is 6-foot-5 and weighs 255 pounds, 13 pounds lighter than his playing weight, the Star Tribune reported. He is trained by former fighter Jeff Warner.

The former Purdue standout is unsigned going into his sixth season with the Vikings and could be a restricted free agent.