Ryan Burnett has announced his shock retirement from boxing.
The former unified world bantamweight champion cited injuries as the reason behind his decision to call time on his career.
Burnett's last fight was back in May when he knocked out Jelbirt Gomera in six rounds at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.
That was his first bout since suffering an serious back injury during his World Boxing Super Series clash with Nonito Donaire in November last year.
Burnett (27) was forced to retire before the sixth round in that fight and had to be stretchered out of the SSE hydro in Glasgow.
May's winning comeback against Gomera was supposed to be the return of the former world champion.
But now his impressive career is over after 21 professional fights - which included 20 wins.
Burnett said: “Although my retirement is forced through injuries, I carry a heart full of satisfaction and gratitude.
"I have achieved my childhood dream and secured my future health, which is something no amount of money or titles can provide.
“I would like to thank everyone at MTK Global and Top Rank, Sky Sports and Matchroom Boxing for providing me the opportunity to fulfil my potential as a fighter.”
The North Belfast boxer - who made his debut back in 2013 against Laszio Nemesapati - won the IBF world bantamweight title in June 2017 with a dominant decision win over Lee Haskins.
He then unified four months later with a unanimous decision over WBA super world bantamweight champion Zhanat Zhakiyanov - both wins coming at Belfast's SSE Arena.
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