Former Leeds and Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny was left gasping for air after being dropped and stopped in his boxing debut.
The Irish soccer star is a former Premier League player with over 260 appearances for Sheffield United in addition to spells across England. He retired in 2018, and last night took part in an evening of white collar boxing featuring nine other footballers.
Kenny, who has seven caps for his native Ireland, got here to the ring adorned in green, white and orange tricolor shorts. But he was left needing an oxygen tank, in response to video captured by The Sun, after being dropped by Curtis Davies and stopped in round one.
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Paddy Kenny KO’d by Curtis Davies in boxing debut
Opening the cardboard on Saturday night in London was a bout between Paddy Kenny and Curtis Davies. The latter is a former center-back who played for Aston Villa and Hull City amongst others, and only retired from playing last 12 months.
That bit of additional fitness and youth showed as Davies was clearly the more polished boxer, showing up in higher shape and clearly having mastered at the very least a number of the fundamentals. Meanwhile, Kenny looked as if it would shell up at times and even raise his legs, indicating having done minimal live sparring.
Kenny was given a standing count early after quite a lot of unanswered clean shots from Davies. And after a little bit of a glance from the referee, he was put down within the closing moments of the round and the bout was quickly waved off.
Paddy Kenny needed oxygen after brutal KO in boxing debut
While it wasn’t visible on the live broadcast, a report from The Sun showed Kenny needing medical attention, including an oxygen mask, within the corner after the fight. Nonetheless, he gave the impression to be okay and was energetic in re-posting messages on social media after the very fact.
He even shared a message from Davies, who thanked quite a lot of people for his victory. “About last night…” The previous footballer wrote. “To begin with what an incredible end up for @proprojectpromotions.
“Thanks to every considered one of you who got here last night to make it such a spectacle. Also to those of you that couldn’t attend but made donations, the charities will really appreciate all of it. As for fight night itself. What an experience!
“10 former pros coming together, being out of our comfort zones but going full throttle and giving it our all. From donning the gloves for the primary time in training six weeks ago, during to Fight Night, I’ve loved every a part of it.
“The discipline, the brand new skills, the camaraderie and most of all THE PURPOSE. Getting within the gym and training is one thing, but knowing there may be a goal at the tip makes an enormous difference.
“Big due to Graham Stack and @proprojectpromotions for allowing me to participate and for putting on such an incredible show.
“Also a MASSIVE shout out to my coach Wayne Elcock and the entire Kronk Birmingham boxers for allowing me into their space, giving me the tools to win a fight and adopting me as considered one of their very own.
“Last but not least an enormous due to my wife Laura Davies for the support throughout the entire process juggling kids and her emotions going into the event.”