Normally when the question of retirement in boxing comes up, the most common line of thought is that fighters often find it difficult to call time on their careers, even when well past their best.
However, the boxing world was left in shock this week when a reigning world champion, very much still in his prime, announced he would be hanging up the gloves.
In a statement that shocked fans, reigning IBF bantamweight world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez revealed his days in the sport were over.
“Today is a heavy day for me because today I have made the decision to hang up the gloves. I know that for many it is a wrong decision because as everyone knows I am enjoying the best part of my boxing career.
It is something that has also cost me a lot and thanks to boxing I have achieved many things for which I am grateful today.
Many years between ups and downs but in the end I made it through 21 years in boxing. It’s not easy to leave this way but I don’t want to wait to lose my love to this so I can say it’s enough.”
Rodriguez ends his career with a record of 22 wins and 2 losses, with his only defeats coming against pound for pound star Naoya Inoue in 2019 and a controversial decision against Reymart Gaballo in 2020.
With Inoue having since moved up to super bantamweight, many felt now was the perfect time for Rodriguez to attempt to become undisputed at 118lbs.