Former Ross County midfielder Martin Woods is swapping the pitch for the boxing ring in a charity event this autumn. The 40-year-old, currently without a club after leaving King's Lynn Town, will participate in 'A Night to Remember III' at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on October 22.
This news was first reported by the Ross-shire Journal. Woods was part of the Ross County squad that famously won the Scottish League Cup in 2016, a historic moment for the Staggies. His next competitive football fixture, however, will be for his former club's fans to watch from the stands, with County's next match at home to Peterhead on November 7.
Who is organizing the charity boxing event?
The event is run by Pro Project Promotions, a company founded by former Arsenal and Hibernian goalkeeper Graham Stack. Stack's organization has already raised over £201,500 for charity across two previous events. "This is our biggest and most emotional line-up yet," Stack said. A documentary about these past events is scheduled to debut on Amazon Prime.
Twelve former professional footballers are confirmed for the card. Alongside Woods, the line-up includes names like Nile Ranger, Gary Madine, Sebastien Bassong, and ex-Aberdeen midfielder Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Emmanuel-Thomas was jailed last year for his role in a cannabis smuggling operation. Other participants are Matthew Briggs, Armand Traore, Harlee Dean, Simon Cox, Lee Cook, Leroy Lita, Anthony Gardner, David Norris, and Jamie Sendless-White. The specific opponents for each footballer have not yet been announced.
What does this mean for Martin Woods' career?
Woods is presently a free agent, having concluded last season with English non-league side King's Lynn Town. This charity bout represents a significant departure from his professional football career. While he prepares for the boxing event, Ross County continues its season in the Scottish Championship. The club's current top scorer is G. Mackay-Steven, who has made one appearance so far this campaign. Fans can track the squad's progress and statistics on our dedicated squad and stats pages.
How can fans support the event?
Tickets for 'A Night to Remember III' are available for purchase directly through the Pro Project Promotions website. The event continues a successful fundraising model that has previously featured well-known ex-players like David Bentley and Curtis Davies. "We've raised over £201,500 for charity in our first two events," Graham Stack noted, highlighting the venture's charitable impact.
For Woods, the October event is a new challenge. His involvement keeps him in the public eye while supporting a good cause, as his former club Ross County focuses on its league objectives. Supporters can follow County's upcoming schedule, including the Peterhead fixture, on our comprehensive fixtures page.
