Leon McKenzie: record, next fight and profile →
Leon McKenzie has announced his retirement from boxing after suffering a crushing defeat on Saturday. The former Premier League footballer, who only turned his hand to the sport back in 2013, was knocked out in the ninth round by Cello Renda in their York Hall clash.
Former Premier League footballer Leon McKenzie dazzled in his first 10-rounder as he swept aside Ivan Stupalo to claim the vacant super-middleweight International Masters title with a one-sided points win. Fighting at Bethnal Green’s York Hall on the fifth anniversary Goodwin show - promoted by the world’s youngest female boxing promoter Olivia Goodwin - McKenzie was tasked with beating a fighter with a winning record. But the former Crystal Palace, Coventry and Norwich striker leapt on his opponent straightaway, dominating the centre of the ring and hitting the Croat with powerful jabs freely in the opening rounds.