Dunne retires from boxing

Irish boxer Bernard Dunne has this evening stunned followers of the sport by announcing his retirement from the ring.

"After a lot of thought and reflection the time has finally come to bring my career as a professional boxer to an end," he said.

"For the past 25 years boxing has been my life but now it is time for a fresh start.

"The easiest thing in the world would have been to climb through the ropes and fight again but honesty has always been very important to me and I am being honest to myself, to my family and to my supporters with this decision.

"The great Irish fans that travelled on the journey to a world title belt with me deserved better than to pay their hard earned cash just to see me go through the motions. I could never do that to them.

"Thankfully I have realised all my dreams and achieved all my goals since I followed my dad into boxing. To win a world title is something I will never forget and something I am so proud of and I would like to thank everyone who helped make that possible.

"This is a sad day for me and for my family but it is also an exciting day and a new start in my life, one I am really looking forward to."

Dunne's manager Brian Peters was quick to offer his support to his man.

"Bernard's decision to hang up his gloves has my full backing and support," said Peters.

"We've had a number of discussions since Bernard lost his world title last September and having scaled the heights he has as a world and European champion he believes that now is the right time to walk away and I am 100% behind that decision.

"As Bernard's manager throughout his career we've enjoyed an incredible roller-coaster journey that has been shared by the nation and Bernard is retiring safe in the knowledge that he has established himself as an Irish sporting icon.

"I know that Bernard's achievements will ensure he forever holds a place in the hearts of the Irish sporting public and I know that with his engaging personality he will prove just as popular in retirement as he did during his boxing career.

"He has a lovely young family and his retirement will give him plenty of time to enjoy the fruits of his labour with his wife Pamela and their kids Caoimhe and Finnian."