Word is going around that John Duddy announced retirement

[MMASUX]

Dan rafeal is reporting that Duddy just announced it. I thought the Lee fight was already signed, i wonder what happened??

[boxingbantz]

Yup, t'is true. Very strange timing but if you're hearts not in it, this isn't the sport to hang around in.

Statement:

'After 'a great deal of soul-searching, I have decided to retire from boxing. 'In many ways, continuing to fight would be the easy course of action. I have been offered the opportunity to fight Andy Lee on HBO for a purse in excess of $100,000. A win would put me in position to fight for a world championship. This is not an opportunity that I cast aside lightly.

'For more than twenty years, I loved being a boxer. I still feel that it's an enormous honor to be a boxer. But I don't love it anymore.
'I no longer have the enthusiasm and willingness to make the sacrifices that are necessary to honour the craft of prizefighting. I used to love going to the gym. Now it's a chore. I wish I still had the hunger, but I don't. The fire has burned out. And I know myself well enough to know that it won't return.

'It would be unfair to my fans, my trainer and manager, and everyone else involved in the promotion of my fights for me to continue boxing when I know that my heart isn't in it. I've always given one hundred percent in the gym and in my fights. I have too much respect for boxing and the people around me to continue fighting when I know that I can't do that anymore.

'I haven't accomplished everything that I wanted to achieve in boxing. But I've had a rewarding career. I've enjoyed the satisfaction of winning twenty-nine professional fights and learned lessons from my two losses. I've experienced the thrill of fighting in Madison Square Garden, Cowboys Stadium, and, also, my beloved Ireland with crowds cheering for me. I look forward to finding future challenges that bring as much passion and joy into my life as boxing has over the past twenty years.
'I give you my word; I will not come back.'

Damn. Used to like watching him fight. One of few guys who used their head to block punches.

[paddy448]

I love his honesty. Good luck to u mate. Thanks for some great fights

[TheMacMagician]

Great retirement statement, truly honest warrior of a fighter. I'm still gonna start a petition to say that he should fight Pawel Wolak in one last fight.