An ex-Sunderland, Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest player has retired from football and will now compete in a star-studded charity boxing event in London
Former Sunderland defender Greg Halford has confirmed his retirement from professional football after a 23-year career – and is now preparing to swap the pitch for the boxing ring. The 40-year-old, who featured for 22 clubs across more than 650 senior appearances, has been announced as one of 10 ex-Premier League and EFL stars taking part in a charity boxing event in London later this year.
The event, titled Pitch to Punch, has been organised by former Reading, Plymouth, and Leeds United goalkeeper Graham Stack and aims to raise £500,000 for several charities, including Playskill, Sport In Mind, Willow Foundation, and Helping Hands.
Halford will face off against former Bristol City midfielder Marvin Elliott on October 18 at the Grosvenor Hotel in Mayfair, London. The night will also feature bouts involving former pros Lee Trundle, Leroy Lita, Curtis Davies, and Paddy Kenny.
The headline fight is set to be between David Bentley and Jody Morris, who will clash in the event’s main contest, while the show is set to be attended by a star-studded crowd and backed by the likes of Peter Crouch, Joe Cole, and Ray Parlour.
Speaking about the event, organiser Stack said: "Pro Project Promotions is where football’s fiercest rivalries meet boxing’s raw intensity. These legends are stepping out of their comfort zones to throw punches for a purpose. With a star-studded crowd, world-class entertainment, and a mission to change lives, this night will be etched in history."
Halford joined Sunderland in the summer of 2007 under then-manager Roy Keane, completing a £3.5million move from Reading. Though mainly deployed at right-back, his versatility saw him feature in several roles during his short spell at the Stadium of Light, making nine appearances in total.
After loan spells with Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United, Halford completed a £1.7million transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2009. He later enjoyed spells with Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove Albion, Cardiff City, and Aberdeen before moving into the non-league game.
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In recent years, Halford has represented Billericay Town, Hashtag United, Bishop’s Stortford, and Blyth Spartans. In February 2025, he joined Bishop Auckland on loan until the end of the season, marking the 22nd club of his senior career, which began at Colchester United in 2001.
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