Coventry City star to leave football for boxing? Liam Kitching tipped for career change | OneFootball

Coventry City's Liam Kitching has been tipped for a career change from football to boxing, and here's why.

The likes of Curtis Woodhouse and Leon McKenzie turned to professional boxing after ending their football careers, and Coventry City have a player who has been backed for the same.

The competitive instincts of sportsmen mean that they can often make it in other professions like boxing. The players who have transitioned successfully — like Curtis Woodhouse — often had certain traits.

Things like strong mentality, a high work rate, and physical robustness are required. These characteristics can often be found in central defenders and holding midfield players. Coventry have some of the best players in the division in those areas.

The bite and aggression of the centre-backs, in particular, has been a big part of their game under Frank Lampard and why they have been able to compete so well in both boxes as well.

Coventry City's Liam Kitching backed for boxing career by Darren Kendall

Football develops explosive power, agility, endurance, timing, and the ability to read opponents — all of which translate directly into boxing through footwork, punch timing, movement, and spatial and tactical awareness.

It also builds mental toughness and competitive resilience, which are crucial in a one-on-one combat sport where composure under pressure and controlled aggression make a major difference.

Coventry defender Liam Kitching has been backed to make the jump to boxing, with the centre-back stepping into the ring and showing what he can do when sparring with Darren Kendall.

Kendall took to Instagram to praise Kitching, stating: "Toughest football player in the league right now @liamkitching he can definitely punch. Boxing could be a career after football 👊🏾🥊"

For many EFL fans, Kitching is one of the toughest players in the division. The 26-year-old came through the ranks with Leeds United but paved his way through the EFL via the likes of Harrogate Town, Forest Green Rovers, and Barsnley.

He has earned somewhat of a reputation for being a tough central defender and competitor, alongside Bobby Thomas at the heart of Coventry's defence.

Known for his physical presence, aerial dominance and aggressive front-foot defending, Kitching thrives in duels, relishes contact, and is comfortable stepping into midfield to disrupt play.

Strong in the air and decisive in tackles, he combines size with solid mobility, allowing him to recover quickly and compete repeatedly across 90 minutes. He also has the bite and aggression needed for a boxer, even if it has not always been controlled.

In 287 professional appearances, Kitching has a mammoth 67 yellow cards and six red cards so far. In many ways, the attributes would translate well to boxing. His comfort in physical confrontation mirrors the close-quarters exchanges of a fight, while his balance and core strength in aerial battles suggest a stable punching base.

There aren't many EFL players who spring to mind as more obvious candidates to possibly step into the ring, with the likes of Neville Southall having brief stints in trying out a different sport post-footballing career. Kitching may well follow in his 30s post-Coventry.