Former world champion Tony Bellew and ex-heavyweight world title challenger David Price are set to support a charity boxing event that sees former footballers step into the ring on April 17 at the Titanic Hotel, Liverpool.
Organised by Pro Project Promotions, the initiative was founded by former Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack and aims to provide ex-players with renewed structure and purpose post-retirement while raising significant funds for good causes. The first event raised £127,500, with organisers now targeting more than £120,000 for Children’s Charity Merseyside and Autism Merseyside. On the event – billed A Night to Remember II – Stack said:
“The city will be bouncing during the Merseyside derby weekend, and I can’t wait to showcase 10 ex-professional footballers battling it out once again in the ring. This event will have a mixture of Scouse boxers and other northern-based fighters. We’ll have some of this country’s best ever boxers in attendance, including Tony Bellew, The Smith Brothers, David Price, and Natasha Jonas.
“Johnny Nelson will host a boxing Q&A and judge the bouts alongside Steve Bunce, with Ian Saint John refereeing. Plus, a football Q&A with our ambassador and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher alongside Everton legend Francis Jeffers. We’re raising money for Children’s Charity Merseyside and Autism – our goal is to raise in excess of £120,000 and get closer to our £500,000 target.”
Bellew and Price will attend alongside Natasha Jonas and the Smith brothers, offering guidance and adding boxing pedigree to the occasion.
On the card, former Stoke City, Wolves and Burnley striker Chris Iwelumo meets Swansea favourite Lee Trundle, while ex-Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme faces former QPR and Blackburn defender Bradley Orr. Former Leeds, Fulham and Aston Villa forward Ross McCormack also features against ex-Leeds and Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon.
The white-collar bouts will see the former professionals test themselves physically once more, this time switching boots for boxing gloves, with the focus firmly on fundraising and community impact. The event is open to fans, with ticket details available via the organisers.
