Has Carl Froch returned to the ring? Retired boxer spars with comedian Lee Nelson

Former boxer Carl Froch has stepped back into the ring to take part in a sparring session with comedian Simon Brodkin, better known as his stage persona Lee Nelson.

The 38-year-old four-time super-middleweight champion invited Nelson to his gym as part of the training day series for MaxiNutrition, the sports supplements chain for which he is an ambassador.

During the course of the video, Nelson jokes that Froch's gym 'ain't no David Lloyd' and rues the lack of a 'fit receptionist.' 

Comedian Simon Brodkin (left) appeared in a promotional video with retired boxer Carl Froch 

Brodkin, better known as his alter-ego Lee Nelson made some cheeky swipes at Froch's age 

An initially energetic Nelson was quickly floored with one punch when the pair started sparring  

He also makes cheeky digs towards Froch's age and asks if he will be 'alright for money' after his retirement. 

When the pair do finally get down to sparring, Nelson is promptly floored with one punch. 

In addition to his stand-up act, Nelson is famous for a number of high-profile pranks, including trying to warm-up with the Manchester City team ahead of a Premier League match against Everton in March 2013.

In November 2014, during Stereo Kicks' performance on the reality TV show The X-Factor, Nelson invaded the stage pretending to perform alongside them. 

Most recently, last summer he gatecrashed a press conference at the headquarters of the football governing body FIFA in Zurich amidst the organisation's corruption scandal. 

Nelson joked that Froch's gym 'ain't no David Lloyd' and rued the lack of a 'fit receptionist'  

Nelson made light of Froch's retirement and asked if he would be 'alright for money' in his old age 

Nelson and Froch were appearing in a promotional video for sports supplements chain MaxiNutrion

Froch, pictured trading blows with George Groves in 2014, is a four-time super-middleweight champion

Nelson is known for his practical jokes such as throwing a wad of cash onto ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter

He walked onto the stage and threw a wad of American dollar bills worth over the disgraced FIFA president Sepp Blatter, claiming that it was part of a bid to bring the 2026 World Cup to North Korea. 

Froch, nicknamed The Cobra, hung up his gloves two years ago after defeating George Groves for the second time by knockout to retain his WBA and IBF super-middleweight titles. 

His final professional record stands at 33 wins and two losses from 35 bouts.