Former West Brom striker Simon Cox to swap pitch for ring in charity bout | OneFootball

Former West Brom striker Simon Cox, 39, will trade the pitch for the ring later this month, taking part in A Night to Remember III in London against former midfielder David Norris.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the Pro Project Promotions show, devised by ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack, features more than a dozen former players and is set for Thursday, 22 October at Grosvenor House in Mayfair.

Cox has spent much of the last two months in camp and is pleased the match-up is with a similarly sized opponent rather than a significantly taller rival. The Essex-based former forward has not boxed before but is embracing the change.

The pair previously met on the pitch in December 2010 when Norris’s Ipswich beat Albion 1-0 in a League Cup quarter-final at Portman Road. Both played the full match, with James Morrison unused and Boaz Myhill in goal. Cox recalled a light-hearted WhatsApp exchange about a photo from that tie.

Cox scored 18 goals in 78 games for Albion after joining from third tier Swindon at 22. He hit 10 in 34 during the Championship promotion season under Roberto Di Matteo before a fringe role in the Premier League.

Subsequent spells followed at Nottingham Forest, Reading, Bristol City, Southend and Western Sydney Wanderers, where he retired in 2021. Back in the UK for five years, he runs a gym and works in personal training, and hopes the final three weeks of camp click into place.

The card includes Sebastien Bassong, Armand Traore, Leroy Lita, Nile Rangers, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Anthony Gardner. Seven three-round contests between 14 former pros form the black-tie night, supporting Willow Foundation, Helping Hands Barnet, Playskill and Sport in Mind.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com

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