Belfast boxer Joe Fitzpatrick has announced his retirement from boxing.
The 27-year-old said it was with "mixed emotions and a heavy heart" that he had decided to hang up the gloves.
Fitzpatrick recently signed a deal with Robbie Flynn and was in training to make his comeback after almost three years out of the ring.
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The former Commonwealth Games medallist hadn't fought since losing to Gary Cully for the Irish lightweight title back in February 2020. That was the sole loss on his professional record which included 10 wins, seven coming by way of stoppage.
Fitzpatrick issued a statement on his social media on Saturday.
He said: "It is with mixed emotions and a heavy heart that I share this message with you all today. I have now accepted that my time in the ring as a boxer has sadly come to an end.
"After 8 weeks into a training camp of straightening myself out, this has give me the time and space to work out who am I as a person, what I truly want in life, as well as the most important part - the time and space to grieve, having suddenly lost both my mummy and my coach/mentor/daddy in a short period of time.
"By no means is this the end of me in boxing. I have decided to start coaching where it all began at Immaculata Boxing Club. To carry on the legacy that my daddy left.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me in my journey as a boxer, my promoters, sponsors and managers.
"But most importantly, my deepest and sincere thanks must go to Immaculata Boxing Club, all the coaches who came through the doors and helped me along the way.
"And one last special mention must go to Nugget. What this man has done for me, from I was a baby in nappies plastering the club in s***, through to the conversation we had last night. This will never go unnoticed, by me nor my family.
"But as I mentioned earlier, I am not leaving the scene and both myself & nugget will have many more conversations about the future world champions who will come through the doors of the Immaculata."
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