A former Leeds United player lost was stopped in the first round on his boxing debut
A former Leeds United player lost on his boxing debut(Image: YouTube/@talkSPORTBoxing)
Former Leeds United star Ross McCormack suffered a first-round KO on his boxing debut. He faced ex-Leeds defender Matthew Kilgallon in the ring at a charity event.
McCormack spent four years at Elland Road during his playing days, scoring 58 goals in 158 appearances. He was made club captain in January 2014 and also earned the Championship Golden Boot before joining Fulham that summer.
The former Scotland international announced his retirement from professional football in 2023. While he has since played for non-league sides, the 39-year-old turned to a new sport after being scheduled to face Kilgallon in a charity boxing match.
McCormack went by the nickname ‘Wrecking Ball’ as he walked to the ring at A Night To Remember II in Liverpool on Friday night. After some even exchanges, ‘Cold Killer’ Kilgallon dodged punches thrown by his opponent before quickly ending the bout.
A combination of body shots and heavy left hooks sat McCormack down in the corner. Referee Ian John-Lewis waved off the fight just over a minute into the first of three scheduled two-minute rounds. The former Leeds players embraced at the end of the contest.
McCormack and Kilgallon were one of several all-footballer bouts, which were broadcast by talkSPORT. A Night To Remember II was run by Pro Project Promotions, a company founded by ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack.
The action included Swansea City legend Lee Trundle defeating ex-Watford and Burnley striker Chris Iwelumo. Former Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme also laced up boxing gloves against retired Bristol City icon Bradley Orr.
Ross McCormack enjoyed prolific seasons at Leeds United(Image: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)
Former Leeds skipper McCormack had a notable playing career. After breaking into Rangers’ first team and featuring in the Champions League, he had a short spell with Motherwell before joining Cardiff City in 2008. His prolific debut season for the Bluebirds left a lasting impression on Leeds, who signed him in 2010.
After a slow start at Elland Road, the Scotland international scored 19 goals in the following campaign. McCormack scored a career-high 29 goals and was given the captain’s armband during the 2013/14 season, later joining Fulham for a Championship-record £11m; a record he broke for a second time when signing for newly-relegated Aston Villa in 2016.
The forward struggled to make an impact at Villa Park. He was loaned out several times, spending time in Australia and returning to Motherwell as his career began to wind down.
Meanwhile, Kilgallon came through Leeds’ academy and made 95 first team appearances, though he left more than three years before McCormack joined the Whites. The 42-year-old also played for Sheffield United, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Bradford City during his career before hanging up his boots in 2021.
A Night to Remember II raised money for Children’s Charity Merseyside and Autism Merseyside. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher and former world champion boxers Natasha Jonas and Liam Smith were ambassadors for the event.
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