Cello Renda beats Leon McKenzie in York Hall contest

Leon McKenzie was knocked out in the ninth round by Cello Renda in their York Hall clash for the Southern Area super-middleweight title.

McKenzie looked on course to win on points but succumbed to a barrage of punches in the penultimate round from 43-fight veteran Ronda, who at 32 is seven years McKenzie's junior.

McKenzie lay on the canvas for several minutes after the fight and oxygen was administered to the Croydon-born Premier League footballer-turned-boxer.

He eventually walked backed to his stool and made his way to his dressing room unaided.

Doctors visited his dressing-room after the fight before he was taken to a nearby hospital in an ambulance as a precautionary measure.

Renda was runner-up in the fourth edition of The Prizefighter in 2008 and has previously shared a ring with former world title challengers Martin Murray and Paul Smith.

He is from Peterborough, a place McKenzie knows well, having played at Peterborough United - where he is in the club's Hall of Fame - during his career as a professional footballer.

But McKenzie (8-2-1-4KO), has now suffered back-to-back defeats, having lost a split decision to Jahmaine Smyle for the English title last November.

McKenzie turned professional as a boxer in 2013 after an 18-year football career.

He began his career at Crystal Palace before turning out for clubs including Norwich, Coventry, Charlton Athletic and Northampton Town.