National Football League

Ravens' Zbikowski plans to keep boxing

Published Mar. 25, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Baltimore Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski said Friday he plans to keep boxing in 2012 as he readies himself for his second fight of the month, The Baltimore Sun reported.

"Without a doubt — if I can get that worked out — that's my perfect world," said Zbikowski, who will fight Caleb "True Grit" Grummet in Atlantic City, N.J., on Saturday.

Whether he can continue boxing and play in the NFL will depend on his next football contract. The 26-year-old former Notre Dame star is currently a restricted free agent, and has not signed while the NFL remains in a lockout.

He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2012, meaning his next contract would need to allow him to continue his boxing career in the offseason.

"Other people might not feel that same way. If we can get that worked out, I can play at M&T Bank Stadium (in Baltimore) in the season and fight at M&T Bank Stadium in the offseason."

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti supports his starting safety's boxing career, calling it "awesome."

Zbikowski has boxed since the age of 10 and compiled an amateur record of 75-15. He won his first professional fight at Madison Square Garden in June 2006.

Two weeks ago at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Zbikowski scored a first-round technical knockout over Richard Bryant in a fight slated for four rounds. He hopes to fight five more four-round fights before the summer, when training camp would start if the NFL labor dispute is resolved.

"I don't look too far in advance because there are so many factors with boxing and getting through a football season without any surgeries," Zbikowski told The Sun. "It's so much that is unknown. What people are starting to understand is I'm serious about this. I can fit both of them in if I move it along the right way."

Zbikowski, who weighed in at 193 pounds says his goal is to someday win a title in the cruiserweight division, which is one level below heavyweights at 175-200 pounds.

Grummet, his opponent on Saturday night, is heading into only his second career fight, drawing in the first one last year.
 

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