Boxing and football are fundamentally different in the sense that, while one relies on teamwork, the other is defined largely by individual prowess.
There are, however, five clear examples of where a former footballer has turned their hand to fighting, or just selected boxing as a more preferable career option.
With this year’s World Cup underway, it is surely an apt time to reflect on these athletes who transitioned from one sport to another.
Katie Taylor
Known for her speed and never-say-die attitude in the ring, it seems that Katie Taylor was much the same on the pitch.
The Irishwoman played at youth and senior level, predominantly as an attacking midfielder, and enjoyed particular success on the international stage.
More specifically, she made 11 appearances and scored two goals for the women’s national team, representing Ireland in World Cup and European qualifier matches.
In 2010, though, she ultimately made the call to focus entirely on her boxing career, striking gold at the 2012 Olympics before turning professional and becoming a two-weight undisputed champion.
The 39-year-old now bids to reclaim her undisputed super-lightweight crown on September 5, taking on Flora Pili in her swansong at Croke Park, Dublin.
Curtis Woodhouse
Curtis Woodhouse played as a midfielder for several notable clubs, including Birmingham City, for whom he made three Premier League appearances during their 2003/04 season.
The Yorkshireman then made his professional boxing debut in 2006, winning his first title by defeating Dave Ryan for the English super-lightweight belt in 2012.
By this point, Woodhouse was 32 years old and had already suffered four losses, yet he nonetheless claimed the British title – following two further defeats – by edging a split decision against Darren Hamilton in 2014.
This was certainly the highlight of his fighting career, if not his sporting life, with the footballer-turned-boxer hanging up his gloves after losing a majority decision to Willie Limond in his first British title defence.
Woodhouse would eventually return to the ring in 2017, completing his 24-7 (13 KOs) record with two further victories, while now the 46-year-old is a manager and promoter of prospects.
Leon McKenzie
Leon McKenzie played and scored in all four professional leagues of English football, including the top-flight division, where he was a striker for Crystal Palace and Norwich City.
The Londoner enjoyed his most prolific spell at Peterborough United, netting 46 goals in 90 appearances, before joining Norwich and helping the ‘The Canaries’ secure Premier League promotion in 2004.
Eventually hanging up his boots in 2013, McKenzie made his professional boxing debut later that year.
By then, the ex-footballer had completed 18 years as a professional athlete and, at the age of 34, was no spring chicken. Yet he nonetheless cultivated a fighting career that lasted over four years, despite having no background in amateur or even white collar boxing.
What he did have, however, was boxing in his DNA, with his father, Clinton McKenzie, having become a multi-time British champion while his uncle, Duke McKenzie – a former three-division world champion – is considered one of the UK’s most accomplished fighters in history.
It was therefore a proud moment for the family when Leon won his first and only boxing title, outpointing Croatia’s Ivan Stupalo to claim the International Masters belt in 2015.
He later retired with a record of 8-2-1 (4 KOs), following his ninth-round stoppage defeat to Cello Renda in 2017.
Lauren Price
In 2014, Lauren Price chose to pursue the Commonwealth Games, where she claimed bronze in the middleweight division, rather than resume her promising footballing career.
Unable to help her national team qualify for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Wales ultimately missed out on a trip to Canada after losing 1-0 to Ukraine.
Had Price, a Cardiff City defender, been on the pitch for that particular match, then things might have played out differently.
Nevertheless, she seemingly selected the correct path and became an Olympic champion in 2021, before turning professional unifying three of the four major welterweight titles.
Oleksandr Usyk
While a less accomplished footballer than the aforementioned fighters, Oleksandr Usyk nonetheless dreamt of representing Ukraine on the pitch, rather than at the highest level of amateur and professional boxing.
During his teenage years, he trained with Ukrainian team Tavriya Simferopol, effectively as an academy footballer, before transitioning to boxing at the age of 15.
Usyk would then strike gold at the 2012 Olympics while, as a professional, is a three-time, two-division undisputed champion.
The masterful southpaw did return to football in 2022, however, making his professional debut as a substitute for Ukrainian side Polissya.
While only a friendly match, Usyk played a fleeting role in the team’s 2-1 triumph over NK Veres Rivne.
