Fight Club: A Premier League XI Who Would Be Suited to a Career in Boxing
On the undercard to George Groves' fight against Andrea Di Luisa on Jan. 30, Leon McKenzie registered a rapid stoppage win over Kelvin Young.
The English super-middleweight title eliminator at the Copper Box Arena in London was all over after 43 seconds. McKenzie, though, is used to hitting the target.
Before the 37-year-old donned the gloves, he was a professional footballer. The striker scored 105 goals while playing for eight different clubs during his career, according to Soccerbase.
However, he hung up his boots to follow in the footsteps of his father, Clinton, who won the British and European title during his boxing career.
McKenzie's performance against Young triggered an idea—which current Premier League footballers would be suited to stepping off the field and straight into the ring?
Bleacher Report has selected an XI—lining up in a 3-4-3 formation—who could make the switch. Of course, every fighter needs a promoter/trainer, too, so a manager has also been included in the slideshow.
As ever, feel free to offer your suggestions via the comments section. We also need nicknames for our footballers-turned-fighters (but keep them clean, please).
Fraser Forster
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At 6'7", Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster has the height and reach that would come in handy for a boxer.
He's used to punching, albeit crosses that come into the penalty area rather than people standing in front of him in a ring, and has a jaw line that suggests he be able to take a shot or two.
There were other players considered for the goalkeeping berth.
Costel Pantilimon (6'8") of Watford is even taller than Forster, but he doesn't have the same build. Arsenal's Petr Cech has height to work with (6'5"), yet he's better off sticking to hitting drums rather than a heavy bag.
Aston Villa's Brad Guzan was also an option; though, it was decided the American looks to have a physique better-suited to MMA action.
Branislav Ivanovic
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Branislav Ivanovic has a similarity to Ivan Drago, the fictional character from Rocky IV.
It's not the dodgy haircut or controlling wife that leads to the comparison, but the ice-cold stare. Ivanovic has a steely, determined look that would be perfect for a pre-fight head-to-head after the weigh-in.
The next time you see the Serbian making a bursting run down the right touchline at Stamford Bridge, just start humming the Passenger song "Heart's On Fire," and you'll see him in a whole new light.
Wes Morgan
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After being released by Notts County as a junior, Wes Morgan considered choosing a different career. With his size and strength (he stands at 6'2" and weighs 93 kilograms), boxing might have beckoned him in.
The Leicester City defender has always stood out—he told Gregor Robertson in an article published on Sky Sports: "Let's just say I was quite a big kid!"
Morgan would make an excellent heavyweight. There's a good chance he would have put up more of a challenge to Anthony Joshua than several of the opponents the British prospect faced in his early fights.
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Phil Bardsley
4 of 12Phil Bardsley may not look to be the toughest full-back in the English top flight, but he can pack a punch. Just ask Wayne Rooney.
The Stoke City player—who started out at Manchester United before moving to Sunderland—managed to flatten his apparent friend while they were sparring in Rooney's kitchen. It only took a left jab to drop him, too.
The Sun managed to get hold of the footage, filmed by a friend, of the brief bout (see above video); though, Bardsley's wife insisted the two footballers were just having a laugh.
Maybe it was just mates joking around, but don't push your luck with Bardsley to find out how hard he really hits.
James Milner
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Perhaps a surprise selection in the final XI, James Milner gets in for his ability to go on. And on. And on.
Former Aston Villa team-mate Ashley Young told Manchester United's official website that Milner is the fittest player he had played with and against.
With his non-stop work rate and willingness to follow instructions to the letter, the Liverpool midfielder could be another version of Scott Quigg (but obviously not at the super-bantamweight of 122 pounds).
However, don't expect too many exhilarating post-fight interviews from James "The Mauler" Milner. He would do all his talking in the ring (thankfully).
Mile Jedinak
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Maybe it's just because of his beard, and the fact he's Australian, but Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak gives off the impression he could box a bit.
The midfielder—who measures in at 6'2.5" tall—relishes a confrontation when competing for the Eagles in the middle of the park.
Jedinak has the perfect role model for a switch to the ring, too. Fellow New South Welshman Anthony Mundine ended his rugby league career to become a boxer—and went on to become a world champion.
With Jedinak selected, there was no room in the XI for Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini. A fight between those two players would be a hair-raising prospect (sorry, terrible joke).
Jonjo Shelvey
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Jonjo Shelvey appears easier to wind up than a cuckoo clock.
The England international was apparently willing to meet one disgruntled Swansea City supporter outside after an FA Cup defeat to Oxford United. According to Neil McLeman of the Mirror, the player "appeared to gesticulate to meet the gentleman in the car park to continue the frank exchange of views."
The January signing by Newcastle United also had a run-in with Mario Balotelli during a League Cup game for the Swans against one of his old clubs, Liverpool, in Oct. 2014.
Instead of having to keep his temper under control out on the pitch, Shelvey should just pop on a pair of gloves and let his anger out on an opponent.
Xherdan Shaqiri
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Xherdan Shaqiri does not skip leg day at the gym. He may not even skip any day at the gym, but he definitely makes sure to do his sets of squats.
Stoke City's Swiss winger stands at only 5'7" tall, but he has the ideal frame to be a hard-hitting puncher. Short and stocky, Shaqiri has the base to allow him to launch power shots.
He could be bigger than the Alps if he would just throw away the football boots and don boxing gloves instead.
Diego Costa
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Diego Costa seems to relish the opportunity to get involved in a scrap on the football field.
The Chelsea forward is happy to get underneath the skin of opposing players and has even been known to mix it with his own team-mates during training sessions.
Per Tony Banks of the Express, Costa and fellow Blues player Oscar had a bust-up in Jan. 2016. It doesn't sound like a fair fight, but credit to Oscar for his willingness to get involved in a catchweight contest.
If his on-field antics are anything to go by, Spain international Costa would be horrible in the ring. Expect plenty of elbows, a lot of leaning in with the head and the odd punch below the belt.
Wayne Rooney
10 of 12Wayne Rooney is a big boxing fan (despite being on the wrong end of a knockout blow from Phil Bardsley).
It was part of his life growing up, as he explained to Chris McKenna of the Daily Star: "My uncle ran the gym and there was times me and my cousins would go in and open the gym up and just train, do the pads, bags, sparring, it was great fun."
A long-time friend of the Smith brothers, Paul, Stephen, Liam and Callum, the England international might so easily have gone in a different sporting direction as a youngster.
Since he has plenty of contacts, Rooney has been named as captain of the Premier League Fight Club XI.
Troy Deeney
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Watford's Troy Deeney has heavyweight connections to the boxing world.
The striker is friends with Olympic gold medallist Anthony Joshua, who has helped Deeney turn his hand to boxing. He told Kevin Affleck of wdsport.co.uk: "I do boxing training. He [Joshua] put me in touch with the guys at Finchley and they look after me down there."
Deeney served three months in jail in 2012 for his part in a brawl, telling the Mirror: "Going to prison was the best thing that ever happened to me."
These days, thankfully, he only fights to win headers while leading a Hornets side that have made a big impression on their return to the Premier League.
Manager: Sam Allardyce
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Sam Allardyce is the perfect man to have in charge of our team.
A no-nonsense defender during his playing career, the experienced manager—he has taken charge of Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and Sunderland in the English top flight—is never afraid to speak his mind.
He's excellent at promotion, too, and not just in terms of getting teams up into a new division.
Big Sam once said, per Robin Scott-Elliot of the Independent: "I'm not suited to Bolton or Blackburn, I would be more suited to Internazionale or Real Madrid. It wouldn't be a problem to me to go and manage those clubs because I would win the double or the league every time."
That kind of hyperbole is perfect for the boxing world, plus his record suggests he always finds a way to get results.
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