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Frank Maloney has decided to retire from all professional boxing after more than 30 years in the sport as a manager and promoter.
Maloney became a household name in the 1990’s when he managed Britain’s first ever world heavyweight champion – Lennox Lewis and was famously christened ‘The Mental Midget’ by Don King.
Maloney has been contemplating his future since July when British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion David Price was beaten for the second time in five months by Tony Thompson.
Frank and his advisors met with Price in London earlier this month and shook hands on a provisional agreement.
Maloney had second thoughts this week and decided to make a clean break from the sport.
He said: “For the last year I have gradually fallen out of love with boxing and my passion has been missing.
“I did much soul searching over the summer and my heart is no longer in the sport that I loved so much.
“If I continued as his promoter it would be unfair as I cannot give the commitment and love for the sport that is needed to get his career back on track.
“When I saw him in the gym last week it was my first visit to one for months and I no longer got the buzz I used to get.
“The sport has changed so much over the last few years. So many boxers listen to the last person they meet and trainers who give time but invest no money into the sport are afforded too much power.
“It has also been a tough time for me personally and I feel a lot more at ease with myself by reaching this decision.
“David understands my decision as do the other fighters I look after, including British cruiserweight champion Jon Lewis Dickinson.
“I wish them all the best and will follow their careers. If they do ever want to call me for a chat they can.
“I would like to thank everybody in boxing who has given me so much support in the sport over the years.
“I learnt the trade from some great people, but a special mention must go to the late American fight promoter Dan Duva.”
Maloney has produced several world champions during his career besides Lewis. Scott Harrison and Paul Ingle were handled by Maloney, who also promoted David Haye when he became world cruiserweight champion.
The South Londoner also managed and promoted dozens of British, Commonwealth, European and International champions.
He added: “Although I loved the Lennox years, the heavyweights I loved being around were characters like Julius Francis and the late James Oyebola.
“I treated all my boxers equal in business but there were some I had a bond with, like Julius and James.
“Men like Graham Earl, Rendall Munroe, Ian Napa, Martin Power, Patrick Mullings, PJ Gallagher, Danny Hunt and Kevin Lear gave me some of my favourite nights and were fellas I bonded with.
“When I reflect back I honestly believe I started falling out of love with boxing when Paul Ingle suffered his accident in 2000.
“Throughout my career in boxing I have had a love-hate relationship with Frank Warren but I have nothing but respect for him and I leave this sport as a friend. I wish Frank and BoxNation every success.
“Without BoxNation the sport could be in serious trouble.”
Maloney will split his time between Kent, where his three daughters live, and Portugal.
