Former football Leon McKenzie to fight Jahmaine Smyle for English super-middleweight title

Leon McKenzie celebrates with dad and trainer Clinton after beating Kelvin Young

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.

He said on Twitter: "November 12th I've waited long but all will be blessed soon. Thank you to those with me from fight 1."

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.