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Ian Tims confirms retirement following knockout loss


Ian Tims has retired from professional boxing following a ten-year, nineteen-fight career

The 38-year-old cruiserweight has hung up his gloves after being stopped in the second round by Derby prospect Jack ‘One Smack’ Massey on the Tyson Fury comeback undercard in Manchester last Saturday night.

The former St Matthew’s amateur had flirted with retirement after he was outpointed by Romanian journeyman Gheorghe Danut in Belfast last December, but was tempted back for one last shot versus his stablemate at the Manchester Arena.

However, things didn’t go to plan for the noted hard man and he has confirmed his retirement on social media.

Following a stellar amateur career in which he won three Irish Elite heavyweight titles and beat one Tony Bellew in the Four Nations, the Clondalkin fighter turned pro in 2008.

After rushing to 8-0 versus journeymen opposition, Tims went in with Michael Sweeney at the City West in Dublin on the Guillermo Rigondeaux v Willie Casey undercard in 2011. Following a heated build-up, Tims won a gruelling contest on points and claimed the Irish title. This win led to him challenging EU champion Juho Haapoja in Finland where he would lose another competitive slugfest.

An injury-blighted career, Tims suffered stoppage losses to Tony Conquest and Paul Drago but bounced back with a one-point rematch win over Sweeney in 2015 for the BUI Celtic title. Going for the Irish title last Summer, Tims was stopped by Luke Watkins and, with defeats to Danut and Massey, he has announced his exit from the sport.

Tims retires with a record of 13(4)-6(4).

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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