Any stories of great boxers decided to retire while training...

Marciano in his comeback.

 

I remember a story where an ex-champ retired after sparring a young amateur named Naseem Hamed. I don't remember his name but he said something to the effect like if he can't even hang with a skinny amateur, how was he going to do anything to a pro?

 

patterson i think did something similar.

 

In 1959 Marciano decided to start training again because he wanted to make a comeback against Ingemar Johansson.

At some point in his training he realised he would not be near what he was even just 4 years prior and decided to drop his comeback thoughts.

 

Not a ex PRO champ, but amatuer star Mark Epton retired after getting beat up by Hamed in sparring. Epton retired with a record of 5-0, and was in training for a fight.

 

Far from great but John Duddy retired when he was set for a decent payday against Andy Lee. Never understood that one.

 

Ah cheers, thats the one. :good

 

Margarito was going to fight again, even scheduled, until he realised half his face had been smashed to bits and he was a millionaire.

 

From a poster called Vintageboxing1 on the scene:

"Mark Epton was a world class amature, he was the British amature champion 3times and England captian. he had turend professional and had won six out of six, and was preparing to challage the Britiish and European Flyweight Champion Pat Clinton. Epton would be getting a purse of £18,000

All was going well, until he met a 16 year old amature called Naseem Hamed. Eptons team wanted to do some sparring with Hamed, it was a risky move, Hamed would be sparring a top class professional in full training for a European title fight. Anyway Bredan Ingle agreed to it.

The first time they sparred Naz had already trained a hour and had already sparred. Hamed and Epton done 3 rounds and Hamed had the better of it and hurt Epton. After the spar Epton but on a brave face and went to hit the bag.

Epton's trainer Wilf Swindles asked if they could do some more sparring the next day. Bredan said no problem. When Epton and Wilf went out of the door, Bredan grabbed Hamed and said Eptons coming back tomorrow. He's going to try and slaughter you''

The next night the ring was surrounded by the regulars. Even with headgurads and sparring gloves, it would be a real fight, a test of Naseem. When the sparred started Hamed never one to wait, attackted from the first, he hurt Epton to the body, opened a cut near his eye despite the headguard, split his nose, bashed him up and did a job on him. He took his beating for 6 rounds.

When it was over Bredan towelled down Naseem and unlaced his gloves, ''You've finished his career. He won't box again'' said Bredan

After taking a shower, Epton admitted to John Ingle son of Bredan, if he cound't beat a kid of sixteen, then what was the point? He wasn't paid his £18,000. Still unbeaten as a Pro, Epton retired from boxing.

And that is the story of Mark Epton's Retirement."

 

If I remember correctly Johnny Nelson was training for a fight when he announced his retirement.

 

Poor old Epton, Nassem was probably a lot better than most pros even at that age. No need to retire.

 

Nice one!

I'm with you. He was going to make his career high payday. Could have retired on the stool after the third then retired in the post fight interview. Nobody would have criticized him.

 

Well I'd say Steve Collins only it appears now he is not retired!!