Tony Bellew, the former world cruiserweight champion, has confirmed his retirement from boxing.
The 35-year-old said on November 10 that he would not fight anymore, immediately after his eighth-round knock-out defeat by Oleksandr Usyk as he failed in his bid to unify the division.
Bellew did not go back on his promise as he posted a video on social media on Thursday to officially announce that he was hanging up his gloves.
"It is time for me to finally leave the ring, the bell has rung for the final time and I want to thank you all for the support you have given me over the years," Bellew said on Twitter.
"Today I am announcing that I am officially retired, there will be no more fighting. The only thing you will see me doing from here on in is trying to act sensible and behave myself."
Bellew, who won 30 of his 34 fights, which include two at heavyweight against David Haye, said his greatest achievement was beating Ilunga Makabu at his beloved Goodison Park in 2016 to win the WBC cruiserweight title.
When asked what might tempt him out of retirement, Bellew joked: "Eddie (Hearn) gets £100million together for me and offers me one more fight, what do I say? Wow, wow - that is probably what I would say.
"Wow, wow and then walk into the missus and say 'Eddie has come on board with £100million' and she would probably hand me divorce papers. Money is good but money comes and goes, that is the best way of saying it."
British boxing great, Frank Buno, paid his respects to Bellew, calling him a ‘genuine sports man’.
He tweeted: “Wishing Tony Bellew all the best for whatever path he chooses to take next, he’s a entertaining genuine sports man who I’m sure can turn his hand to anything. Enjoy your retirement and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.”
Additional reporting by the Press Association
