Anthony Mundine has called time - again - on his celebrated and controversial sporting career following an inglorious first-round knockout loss to Michael Zerafa.
Zerafa sent Mundine to the canvas with a series of heavy blows to claim the WBO Oceania middleweight title in Bendigo on Saturday night.
Now 45 and, in his own words, a shadow of the sporting super talent who turned NSW State of Origin rugby league star into a world boxing champion, Mundine conceded he was finally done.
"Definitely, definitely," he said.
"Win, lose or draw, even if I won, I still would have hung them up.
"I just haven't got the heart anymore to do it.
"God's given me great talent, both in rugby league and boxing. I'm not the fighter I was five years ago, a year ago or 10 years ago.
"But I've achieved a lot in my time."
Concerned for his health, boxing legends including Jeff Fenech had urged Mundine not to fight Zerafa - and "The Man" himself was grateful to escape the ring alive after copping two brutal blows to his already battered head.
"Thank God I'm healthy," he said.
"But, unfortunately, I got caught in the first round. It happens in boxing.
"Hopefully Michael can go on and be a success and reach all his dreams.
"He's wanted to fight me when he was 15. Lucky he got me when I was 45, not 35."
