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.”
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.
The former Chelsea star pulled out of the fight shortly after it was announced…
“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.
“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.”
Liverpool have reportedly made an important offer to sign a new forward in the summer transfer window, and he could explode under new manager Andoni Iraola.
It’s going to be an interesting window for the Reds, with their recruitment team having a lot of work to do ahead of the 2026-2027 season.
Liverpool may need to find replacements for Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson, who have all left the club on free transfers.
It was a disappointing 2025/2026 campaign from Liverpool, resulting in Arne Slot being relieved of his duties.
The Merseyside club did manage to qualify for the Champions League after finishing in fifth place in the Premier League, so they should have minimal issues attracting new players.
Liverpool are now entering a new era after it was confirmed that Iraola has been appointed as their new manager.
Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign the midfielder at the end of this month
Liverpool Make Important Offer for Forward
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have made RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande their top priority for the summer transfer window.
“He’s wanted by Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. Both clubs are still in the mix. Liverpool are really pushing, Liverpool are really insisting to make it happen. For Liverpool, he’s a top, top priority. They are offering important money to the player to get it done. On the other side, Paris Saint-Germain are also keen but it depends on what happens with Barcola, with Goncalo Ramos and Kang-in Lee. There are players that have to leave at PSG, while at Liverpool they’ve already made space with Mo Salah leaving and more players.”
Liverpool have already spent significantly in the last year or so, so it’s a big decision they need to make on Diomande.
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Diomande Could Explode Under Iraola
via Reuters
Diomande certainly has a big task on his hands if he does make the move to Liverpool in the summer transfer window.
The Leipzig winger will likely be a direct replacement for Salah on the right-hand side of attack. There will be a lot of pressure to replicate what the Egyptian international has produced.
There is every chance that Diomande could explode under new manager Iraola.
The former Bournemouth boss has a knack for developing young talent, something he did superbly during his time with the Cherries.
Iraola likes his sides to be deadly in transition, situations that Diomande will thrive in.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has broken his silence on the decision of the United States to deny entry to Somalian referee Omar Artan ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
There was outrage around the world when it emerged that Artan, the leading official from Africa, would not be allowed to enter the USA, despite having already been granted his visa.
Having arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul, he was informed that he would not be allowed to proceed further due to ‘vetting concerns’, essentially ending any chance of him officiating at the tournament. He had been due to become the first Somalian ever to officiate in any capacity at a World Cup.
Why Omar Artan was Denied Entry to the USA
Omar Artan via omar_artan on Instagram
Fifa initially released a brief statement confirming the news, which read:
“Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.” However, Infantino has now expanded on that brief comment.
In the days since he was denied entry, more details have emerged concerning Artan’s case. The decision to ban him from the US was seemingly made based on the fact that he shares the same name as a leader of the Al Shabab military group.
Artan was denied in Miami for 11 hours and interrogated by officials, before he was allowed to return home to Somalia. Speaking on his arrival back home, the referee stated:
“I’m simply a referee trying to live my dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup. I had all my papers in order, yet I was interrogated for hours, thrown into prison, and then expelled. I think they have a problem with my country.”
Benoit Tessier via Reuters
Despite the controversy and anger surrounding the decision, Infantino gave a bizarrely relaxed answer when he was quizzed on the situation on Wednesday as spoke to reporters at a pre-World Cup news conference, even telling them to “chill” and “relax.”
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia. Again, we don’t control everything. We try, we will discuss, we will speak, we will see.
“Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything. Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution. Believe me when I tell you, we always try to find solutions.
“But we need to respect we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation.”
Infantino also refused to make any assurances on any repeat of the Artan debacle in future when being asked if he had “lost control” of the tournament.
“You know in 2035 I think, we hope, the women’s World Cup will be in the UK right – there still needs to be a decision but it looks like it.
Would you find it normal that Fifa would dictate to the British government who to let in the country and who not to let in the country?
I don’t know. Maybe you find it normal. I would like personally, on the other side, the reality of the matter is that in every country, there are governments that try to get into the UK, Germany, Switzerland without a visa, try to get a visa if you’re from certain countries, it’s not easy, that’s what I want to say.”
Olivia Buzaglo and Ben Jacobs are live with a special World Cup preview edition of Market Madness, bringing you the latest transfer news alongside expert insight from across the globe.
South American football expert Tim Vickery joins the show to break down the key storylines ahead of the tournament, including:
– The mood in Brazil as they look to end their World Cup drought
– Neymar’s inclusion and current form at Santos
– Argentina’s chances of defending their crown
– Young South American talents who could earn big moves to Europe
– Potential surprise packages
Ben also delivers the latest breaking transfer news and answers your questions in his weekly mailbag, keeping you up to speed with all the biggest moves as the window heats up before the World Cup.
Plus, we hear from The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, speaking directly from the USA traning camp, with insight into how the co-host nation is shaping up ahead of the tournament.
