FORMER Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt is taking up boxing and is seeking a celebrity opponent for an October fight.

The 41-year-old will step into the ring for the first time this year as he becomes the latest Premier League icon to turn to boxing.

Kuyt will take part in the event in October led by kickboxer Rico Verhoeven – but does not yet have an opponent.

The ex Anfield favourite says he misses the tension of being a footballer, but is now relishing a "battle" against a celebrity.

He is reported as telling the Humberto Talk Show: "As a former football player, I know what it’s like to be in a stadium.

"It’s been about four years since I stopped playing football. And of course I miss that tension and that struggle to win a match.

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"I have practiced many other sports, such as tennis, paddle tennis and fitness. But getting into a ring is new to me.

"So I would love to get into that battle against another celebrity. From now on I will train hard."

Kuyt's debut fight comes after he accepted a proposal from fellow Dutchman and kickboxing heavyweight champion Verhoeven.

He and other famous guests will take to the ring after training with professional teams, including with Verhoeven.

The 33-year-old is leading the "Hit It" event in Rotterdam as he makes his way back from an eye injury.

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Kuyt follows in the steps of ex-Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra, who was set to fight Youtuber Adam Saleh at the end of this month at the O2 Arena.

But the fight has been postponed after the main event between "World's Scariest Man" Martyn Ford and The Iranian Hulk Sajad Gharibi was shelved after Ford "fled to Dubai".

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