Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski is hanging up the boxing gloves to put his focus back on football.
Zbikowski, who went 3-0 as a professional boxer this offseason, told the Los Angeles Times that he has canceled his previously scheduled June 4 fight at the Staples Center.
“It was time to start the transition back to football,” Zbikowski said. “My teammates are starting to organize some workouts, so it’s just time to head back [to Baltimore]. Wish I had more time to do both.”
Zbikowski’s timing is odd: There’s no end in sight to the lockout, so he doesn’t need to hurry back to the NFL, and he had already committed to the June 4 fight. Zbikowski’s boxing promoter, Bob Arum, says this decision has nothing to do with Zbikowski’s positive marijuana test after his last fight, which he successfully appealed.
But Zbikowski says he just wants to show that he’s committed to his primary occupation, football.
“I’m getting ready for this upcoming season,” he said. “It’s going to be a big year for the Ravens and I need to be ready.”