Former Aston Villa Striker Ross McCormack Embraces Boxing Challenge After Football
Former Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack is preparing to swap football boots for boxing gloves next month, stepping into the ring for a charity bout that has reignited his competitive spirit. The 39-year-old Scot will face ex-Leeds and Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon at Liverpool's prestigious Titanic Hotel on Friday, April 17.
A New Chapter in the Ring
The event, organized by former Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack's Pro Project Promotions, features five three-round bouts including Lee Trundle versus Chris Iwelumo. McCormack's participation aims to help raise £120,000 for Children's Charity Merseyside and Autism Merseyside while providing former professionals with post-career focus.
"I've never had a boxing fight before, but I've always had huge respect for the sport," McCormack told BirminghamLive. "It's been absolutely tough, but I've got to admit I am absolutely addicted to it."
Finding Community in Boxing
McCormack has discovered unexpected camaraderie during training sessions in Glasgow, contrasting sharply with his experiences in conventional gyms. "You walk into a boxing gym, it's similar to walking into a football dressing room," he explained. "Everyone's in high spirits, everyone's chatting to you, people are encouraging you that you've never met before. It's like a proper little community."
The former striker admitted struggling with retirement after his professional football career ended abruptly. "My career didn't end on my own terms," McCormack reflected. "It probably stopped a few years shorter than it should have done. That was the difficult part for me."
Reflections on Villa Career
McCormack joined Aston Villa in August 2016 after breaking the Championship transfer record twice - first moving from Leeds to Fulham, then from Fulham to Villa. However, his three-year stint yielded only three goals in less than 30 appearances, with much time spent on loan at Nottingham Forest and clubs in Australia and Scotland.
Despite well-publicized issues with then-manager Steve Bruce, including a missed training session involving a gate incident, McCormack holds no resentment. "It's got absolutely nothing to do with Steve Bruce," he stated. "I respect Steve, always have done. I think a lot of the things happening at Aston Villa were probably higher up than Steve Bruce."
The striker emphasized that while some might blame him for aspects of his Villa departure, "a lot of it could have been handled better with the club."
Preparing for the Spotlight
As fight night approaches, McCormack confesses to nerves about the public spectacle. "What's actually freaking me out the most is the walkout," he admitted. "Choosing a song that isn't too cringey, then standing there with the whole room looking at you. What do you do? Do you dance? Do you bounce on your toes? I've got no idea what will happen."
Despite the challenges, the boxing experience has provided McCormack with renewed purpose. "To get something quite close to that football dressing room camaraderie has been ideal," he said. "It's come along at the perfect time."
The charity event represents not just a fundraising opportunity but a chance for McCormack to channel his competitive energy into a new arena, finding community and challenge where he least expected it after his football career concluded.
