Ok....John Duddy Retires -- Statement

Whoa. Talk about out of left field. John Duddy just issued a statement announcing his retirement.

By John Duddy

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.

I started watching my father train in the gym when I was five years old. I began fighting competitively at age ten. 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 honor 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.

Barry McGuigan was one of my childhood heroes. His photograph was one of the first things that visitors saw when entering our home in Derry. He had great influence on me when I was a boy.

Barry McGuigan once said, “Fighters are the first people to know when they should retire and the last to admit it.”

I know that it’s time for me to retire from boxing, and I’m admitting it.

I’m fortunate to have had the support of many good people throughout my career. To my fans; to the people in the boxing business who have been part of my team over the years; and most of all, to my wife Grainne and the rest of my family; thank you for your love and support.

I give you my word; I will not come back.

GrantZilla wrote:Is that from Fat Dan?

Total bullshit if it's true. Retired my ass. He'll be back aganst a bum. Pulling a Kessler

GrantZilla wrote:There's something very weird about this. Not like he's old and shot. He is the same club fighter he originaly was. Why turn down a nice payday like this?

Why don't just fight, even if you lose, got a nice chunk of change, and then retire?

I don't get it. Makes me think his promoter is taking all his money and he's not getting shit, so doesn't want to fight anymore.

I dunno.

GrantZilla wrote:Yeah. Maybe so. Just seems weird timing to decide you want to retire. Got HBO fight and some decent money. Why not take fight, if you win, it's a great way to retire. In front bunch excited Irish fans, and a good payday.

GrantZilla wrote:I figured there was. Nobody turns down HBO and good money like this. Not when still young and not totaly shot. Shit even then.

Only instant I can think of fighter turning down big money is well, Mayweather

dbudge wrote:so he can't get motivated for this opportunity? what did used to motivate him then? it's not like he's been a Champion and achieved his dreams yet. definitely something a miss here. why sign for a fight you have no intention of fighting. it's exactly these sort of actions that damage the sport. this is where Boxing doesn't compete with UFC as an event. If the UFC says it's doing a show on a date, the show goes on regardless. it's reliable and fans like reliabilty