Surfer Mick Fanning takes on world No. 1 Italo Ferreira in comeback event

Today’s first round of the Rip Curl Classic features a match-up for the ages: Aussie Mick Fanning set to risk it all in his comeback surf against World No. 1 Italo Ferreira.

It is the dream face-off that has world surfing buzzing.

In one corner, the current world champion and reigning world No.1 Italo Ferreira, seemingly in unstoppable form and the favourite to take out Saturday’s Rip Curl Classic at Narrabeen.

In the other corner, his first-round opponent and resurgent Aussie surf legend Mick Fanning, who will make his official comeback as a wildcard entry after officially retiring from the sport in 2019.

Mick Fanning with partner Bree Randall and their son Xander. Picture: Instagram

It’s a match-up that has all the makings of showdown for the ages — the new superstar and, in Fanning’s words, the “old, old underdog”.

Not surprisingly Fanning — the man who famously stunned the world when he fought off shark during a competition in 2015 — is approaching the contest in typically fearless style.

“I may as well get (Ferreira) out of the way early,” he told Saturday Confidential during a promo appearance in Sydney this week.

“The way I look at it … all of the pressure is on him.

World number one Italo Ferreira in action. Picture: Ed Sloane/WSL via Getty Images

“If things go my way then it will be a huge upset. And if I lose then it doesn’t really matter, so I feel like there’s absolutely no pressure on me whatsoever.

“Obviously Italo is on an absolute tear at the moment … he’s the current world No.1 and he’s in incredible form, but I’m excited about facing him in the first round. Why not start at the top?”

Fanning’s decision to come out of retirement prompted a mixed reaction from fans and pundits this week, with many wondering — with his string of world titles and a healthy retirement fund propped up by good property deals and a multimillion-dollar stake in the Balter beer company — why Fanning would need to strap the ankle rope back on at all.

But he says it was family — not money — which played a big part in Saturday’s comeback, which takes place eight months after the birth of son Xander, his first child with partner Bree Randall.

Fanning would like to take baby Xander and partner Bree on tour with him. Picture: Instagram

“When I was on tour previously a lot of the guys closest to me were travelling with their partners and kids,” he said.

“(Fellow Gold Coaster) Joel Parkinson toured with his whole family for most of his time on the tour and I always thought that it would be amazing to be able to do that.

“And then when (Xander) came along I started thinking about it again and thinking about how cool it would be to be able to share that side of my life with my family and allow them to be able to have that bit of insight into that world.”

Another factor in his decision — he says — was purely physical, having recently recovered from a major ACL injury in 2019 and subsequent knee surgery.

“I’m finally in a place now, for the first time in two years, where my injuries feel under control and I can get back to where my body needs to be,” Fanning said.

“So that for me is the biggest personal challenge … getting back to a point where I can push myself again. And that’s a great feeling.”

Fanning also marked another milestone this week, partnering with the multibillion-dollar fitness chain F45 to open an outpost of its new yoga/pilates arm FS8 in Byron Bay.