Ex-footballer Leon McKenzie given super-middleweight title shot

Former Premier League striker Leon McKenzie will take on Jahmaine Smyle later this year to become a national boxing champion.

The 38-year-old spent time with Norwich City, Coventry City and Peterborough United during a two-decade long senior career, before turning his attention to boxing in 2013.

Smyle and McKenzie are to face off at York Hall on November 12 for the English super-middleweight championship, with the ex-footballer - a winner inside 43 seconds against Kelvin Young earlier this year - aiming to build on a record of eight victories and one draw from nine fights.

Promoter Steve Goodwin took to Twitter to announce the bout, saying: "Delighted to confirm @LeonMckenzie1 will challenge for the English super-middle title against Jahmaine Smyle on 12th November at York Hall."

McKenzie's father Clinton is a former British and European light-welterweight champion, while uncle Duke was crowned world champion at three different weight levels during his career.