Sports
‘I Scored vs Man Utd and Chelsea, But I Felt Something Deeper Boxing at York Hall’
Forging a career in one sport professionally is something only a small percentage of people are talented enough to do. So to burst into the boxing world after spending two decades as a footballer is quite an impressive feat.
That’s exactly what former Premier League ace Leon McKenzie did. The Croydon-born athlete started his career with boyhood club Crystal Palace, breaking into the first team from the youth academy.
More than 20 years after making his senior debut for The Eagles, McKenzie was pulling on gloves and stepping into the boxing ring. It was hardly a surprise to see him step into the family business. After all, he is the son of former British and European super-lightweight titlist Clinton McKenzie and nephew of three-weight world champion Duke McKenzie.
Perhaps the height of McKenzie’s career in football came during his time as a Premier League player with Norwich City. Having come through the ranks at Selhurst Park, the forward became somewhat of a journeyman, moving around various English clubs.
Boasting the likes of Peterborough United, Coventry City and Charlton Athletic on his CV, McKenzie made a name for himself at some historic English clubs. The highlights of his time in the English top-flight came when he netted goals against Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea.
Speaking to Boxing News, the now 47-year-old claimed he had no regrets about choosing football over boxing at a young age. He explained:
“I started playing football at eight years old. I grew to love it, and things just took off for me really. I signed for Crystal Palace [aged 15], and had to make a decision between football and boxing, and I chose football. I don’t regret the choice I made, because I had 18 good, solid years at the top level as a footballer.”
Personal Struggles Away From the Pitch
Life hasn’t always been easy for McKenzie. In 2012, he was sentenced to six months in prison as he admitted to six charges of perverting the course of justice. The retired football ace sent letters to police, pretending to be from a fictional garage, to avoid paying speeding fines.
This came during a time of severe depression, which McKenzie has spoken openly about many times. While playing for Charlton in the 2009-10 season, he attempted to take his own life due to the loneliness of being away from his wife and child. Speaking about the harrowing experience, McKenzie told The Guardian:
“I couldn’t cope any more and wanted to end it all, literally tried to. My family came to the hospital and to see them all crying with me in that state, it wasn’t nice for me. But the next day I went to training, I tried to forget about what happened and get on with being a footballer.”
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He admitted to being ‘scared’ about spending time in jail. Mckenzie was in prison with some seriously dangerous people, although he says he had plenty of ‘respect’ due to his time as a football player.
“I was so scared. I went into an A-category prison with murderers, rapists and paedophiles. I’m sharing a cell with these people – you think, really? But it is what it is. I went in there for a reason. The funny thing is I had so much respect in there. As a footballer I had some of the baddest people coming in and talking to me. One guy said: ‘I murdered seven people. What did you do?’”
Explaining what led him to the ‘stupid’ mistake that landed him in hot water, he continued: “I’d never been in trouble with the law. I made a mistake, I was stupid. I’m sure a lot of people have done that. But because I was in a high-profile sport I was made an example of. When you are depressed you don’t always think straight. You’re in a deep, isolated place.”
Step Into Boxing and Potential KSI Fight
After hanging up his boots, McKenzie turned professional in boxing in 2013. In an impressive four-year stint in the sport, he retired with an 8-2-1 record.
The super-middleweight went undefeated in his first nine bouts, becoming the International masters champion along the way. He announced his retirement in 2017 after suffering back-to-back defeats.
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“As much as people like to talk about my age and the football, boxing runs much deeper than that for me, I have deep spiritual connection to boxing and that’s what enables me to do what I’m doing,” was the response ‘Big McK’ gave to those doubting him as a 35-year-old doubting his ability to become a boxer.
As recently as 2025, McKenzie was still considering a return to the ring. At one point, he was put forward as a potential replacement for Wayne Bridge to fight YouTuber KSI.
“A few days went past, but we had some direct contact. But they have come back and said they have other plans,” he told talkSPORT.
“KSI’s team, they are businessmen and all about the numbers and making money, while doing the best for their cash cow. You have to respect that to a certain degree, but it is probably best not to entertain it.”
Manchester United are looking to strengthen their attacking options as we head towards the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are certainly in the market to sign midfielders this summer, but they could also look to strengthen in other areas.
It’s an incredibly important summer transfer window for United as they look to build a squad capable of competing in the Champions League.
The Red Devils were without European football during the 2025/26 season, which made it easier for them to finish in the top four due to the lack of distractions.
Michael Carrick’s side will now be playing twice a week for large parts of the season, so they’ll need a deeper and more competitive squad.
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Manchester United might face a problem in the transfer race for one midfield target this summer.
Man Utd Eyeing Forward Reinforcements
According to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, Manchester United have working on Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old is set to compete at the World Cup with Belgium, and United are showing an interest as a potential forward option.
Despite his age, Fernandez-Pardo made 29 appearances for Lille in Ligue 1 last season, providing 13 goals and assists combined.
The Belgian forward, who has made two appearances for his country so far, predominantly plays as a centre forward but can also play on either wing.
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Versatile Forward Could be Smart for Man Utd
Signing a versatile forward in the summer transfer window could be an ideal move for United ahead of the 2026/2027 season.
Bringing in a player capable of playing in multiple positions in the forward line would be hugely beneficial, especially when Carrick looks to rotate his squad across different competitions.
Fernandez-Pardo, described as ‘one of the most promising forwards in Europe’, should receive a significant amount of game time if he were to make the move to Old Trafford due to their European qualification.
Whether he’d be keen on a move to United remains to be seen, and it doesn’t appear to be any more than just interest as it stands.
Tottenham Hotspur are in talks to sign Savinho and Jan Paul van Hecke as their summer business shows no signs of slowing down, but they are also negotiating terms to sign another player for Roberto De Zerbi, according to TEAMtalk.
Tottenham chiefs knew that they had to make sweeping changes to their squad over the summer break following successive 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, and the early signs are that they mean business.
Spurs might end the summer being the busiest Premier League club in the market if their early moves are anything to go by, with Andy Robertson already through the door at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a free transfer.
Marcos Senesi is set to be announced on a similar deal after he left Bournemouth following the expiry of his contract, but the north Londoners are nowhere near being done.
De Zerbi wants to add a third new defender to his squad in Van Hecke, who he worked with during his spell as Brighton boss, which would suggest we could see a high-profile exit at the heart of the Spurs defence.
Cristian Romero looks the most likely candidate given the amount of talk there has been around his future in 2026, but the only changes won’t be restricted to defence and attack.
Tottenham Re-Negotiating Joao Palhinha Terms
It was a rollercoaster season-long loan spell for Joao Palhinha at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Bayern Munich man started well, and it looked as though Spurs would be activating their £26m option to sign the Portugal international on a permanent basis.
However, a mid-season dip threw that into doubt, before his rejuvenation at the end of the season under De Zerbi changed minds again, with the Italian making it clear he wanted to sign the 30-year-old on a full-time basis. He has labelled him as ‘one of the best’ players to work with.
Tottenham are in talks to renegotiate the terms of the deal with Bayern as they look to get a deal over the line, according to TEAMtalk, with the hope of agreeing a reduced fee with the Bundesliga champions.
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Joao Palhinha Wants Tottenham Move Despite Reports
Fabrizio Romano reported last week that despite reports from his home country that Tottenham had pulled out of the race for his signature as he was prioritising a move back to his homeland, it wasn’t actually the case.
Romano claims that the 30-year-old is actually giving priority to staying at Spurs permanently because of his relationship with De Zerbi.
The Italian journalist does say that Sporting Lisbon are waiting in the wings if the north Londoners can’t reach an agreement with Bayern however.
Tottenham chiefs appear to be spinning many plates at the same time right now in terms of transfers, but landing Palhinha could be one of their most important signings of the summer.
De Zerbi clearly loves the Portuguese star’s experience, and despite his deeper midfield position, Palhinha showed his character and threat in the final third with two crucial goals against Wolves and Everton during the run-in as they staved off relegation from the Premier League.
Manchester City have reportedly made a £120 million bid to sign a Manchester United target ahead of the summer transfer window, according to David Ornstein.
City are preparing to enter a new era after Pep Guardiola left the club following the conclusion of the 2025/2026 season. It’s certainly an interesting period for the Manchester club, who are so used to having Guardiola in charge.
GIVEMESPORT understands that Enzo Maresca is set to take charge of Man City, although they are yet to officially confirm his appointment.
Some clubs will be looking to get some business out of the way before the World Cup, when players’ prices often rise after strong tournaments.
It now appears that Man City are looking to do just that.
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Man City Bid £120m for Midfielder
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Manchester City have submitted a verbal proposal to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson. The deal is believed to be over £120 million, but Forest wants a British record fee guaranteed, not after bonuses.
Anderson is also a target for Manchester United, but it remains to be seen whether they will make an offer.
The Nottingham Forest midfielder is currently away with England ahead of the World Cup as they prepare for their first game against Croatia next week.
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Man City Aren’t Messing Around
It’s certainly a huge move for Man City to offer such a big fee for Anderson, and it remains to be seen whether United will now enter the race concretely.
It’s also a brave move from Forest to reject such an offer, but it’s admirable that they are willing to stick to their guns and wait for their desired fee.
Forest clearly know that a strong World Cup for Anderson, who has a big chance of starting for England, could see his value go through the roof, so they are happy to play the waiting game.
The Midlands club will certainly be hoping that United now submit their own offer, meaning they can drive the price up for Anderson.
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