Thursday 15 October 2015 11:32, UK
Leon McKenzie is ignoring taunts about his battle with depression from opponent John McCallum ahead their British title eliminator at York Hall on Saturday.
Premier League-footballer-turned boxer McKenzie is just one fight away from a shot at the British super-middleweight title after amassing a seven-fight unbeaten record since taking up boxing in 2012.
The build-up to this weekend's clash has been marred in recent weeks by McCallum ridiculing McKenzie's historical mental health struggles on social media.
McKenzie, however, has vowed not to rise to the provocation and insisted he will teach the Scotsman some manners and end his run of seven straight wins.
"He's made it personal and there's been a lot of needle because John has delved into personal issues," McKenzie told Sky Sports.
"It's in black and white what the kid's said and he can't backtrack from it. He has no inkling what it means to go through depression.
"There is a big population of people in this world who go through depression and have lost people to depression, and regardless whether you're in sport or everyday life, it's not nice to make remarks about it the way he has.
"It was my kids who brought his social media antics to my attention and it got to the point where I felt like had to stand up to it because he took it to another level when he wasn't winning the psychological battle.
"He's talked about sending me back into depression and he started addressing me as 'Suicide Leon'. It's childish, it's ignorant and I'm not rising to it.
"Maybe he's done it because he knows the pressure is on him but I can't wait till Saturday because now I'm going to teach this kid some manners.
"I'll tell you something now he's got me at the wrong time. I wish John McCallum all the best on October 17 because his best is not going to be good enough."
Boxing is in McKenzie's blood. His father and trainer Clinton is a former British and European light-welterweight champion, while his uncle Duke won world titles in three different weight classes.
Nothing's been handed to me, regardless of my family's boxing tradition and history. That's why I think I deserve this.
"I know I'm no spring chicken at 37, but I haven't had an amateur career either so there are no miles on my clock in that respect," the former Crystal Palace and Norwich City striker added.
"You don't see me fighting on big televised shows which proves I haven't been given a silver spoon in my boxing career.
"Nothing's been handed to me, regardless of my family's boxing tradition and history. That's why I think I deserve this and I'm going to grab this opportunity with both hands."
