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New Discovery series shows Idris Elba training to be a professional kickboxer

By Sarah Mulé
Actor Idris Elba attends the premiere of the sci-fi motion picture thriller "Star Trek Beyond" at Embarcadero Marina Park South in San Diego, Calif. on July 20, 2016. The actor is training to become a professional kickboxer in a new Discovery documentary. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 3 | Actor Idris Elba attends the premiere of the sci-fi motion picture thriller "Star Trek Beyond" at Embarcadero Marina Park South in San Diego, Calif. on July 20, 2016. The actor is training to become a professional kickboxer in a new Discovery documentary. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

LONDON, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Idris Elba is training to become a professional kickboxer in the upcoming three-part Discovery documentary Idris Elba: Fighter, which premieres in 2017.

Elba trained all over the globe for a year, traveling to Britain, Cuba, Japan, South Africa, and Thailand.

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"It has been a lifelong ambition of mine to fight professionally," Elba said. "Entering the ring to further test myself as a human being is a challenge I have been looking to take on for quite some time."

The show's press release highlights the reality of the program.

"This is no act. There is no script. This fight is real as are the potential repercussions," the release said.

Though Elba isn't new to the world of kickboxing, having trained in fitness kickboxing in his 20s, the series shows Elba being mentored by former world champions and coaches while incorporating unorthodox training methods and regimens.

The series is set to air in early 2017.

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