Ex- Footballer Goes Into Boxing

 

Former Premier League striker Leon McKenzie will fight to become a national boxing champion when he takes on Jahmaine Smyle on November 12. McKenzie, who retired from football three years ago, will face Smyle for the super-middleweight championship at York Hall in London. 

His promoter, Steve Goodwin, announced the fight on Twitter, saying: “Delighted to confirm @LeonMckenzie1 will challenge for the English super-middle title against Jahmaine Smyle on 12th November at York Hall." 

The former Norwich and Coventry City striker hails from a boxing family, with father Clinton McKenzie a former British and European light-welterweight champion, while his uncle, Duke, was a three-weight world champion during his career. Leon McKenzie is also a contender for a national title after knocking out Kelvin Young in just 43 seconds in January.  He previously beat undefeated John McCallum in a British super-middleweight title eliminator in October last year, a fight which was marred by McCallum's taunts about McKenzie's battle with depression. 

McKenzie made his professional boxing debut at the age of 35 and currently has an unbeaten record of 8-0-1-KO4.  He started his football career at Crystal Palace before playing for Norwich (2003-06) and Coventry (2006-09) and finished his career at Kettering.