Sunday 18 October 2015 12:56, UK
Leon McKenzie edged closer to a shot at the British super-middleweight title after beating the previously undefeated John McCallum at York Hall on Saturday night.
The contest was brought to a halt at the end of the sixth round after McCallum was pulled out by his corner after suffering a badly damaged left eye.
The build-up to the contest was marred by taunts from McCallum about 37-year-old McKenzie's long-standing battle with depression.
But despite refusing to acknowledge the Scotsman at Friday's weigh in, the former Premier League footballer showed his class by shaking McCallum's hand after the fight.
"That performance has shown a lot of people that they shouldn't underestimate me," the ex-Crystal Palace and Norwich City striker told Sky Sports.
"I'm a bit overwhelmed but at the same time I was very confident ahead of the fight.
"It was the best performance of my career because John is younger, he was undefeated and he has a very good amateur record.
"On paper he was the favourite to beat me but I was confident, I took the centre of the ring and once I start I sticking out my jab it's a problem.
"And you saw what happened to his face. My work-rate, my stamina, my power - he just couldn't cope."
McKenzie, who was cheered on at York Hall by a host of famous faces from the world of football and music, is now unbeaten after eight fights since turning professional as a boxer in 2013.
