He was on the BBC Olympic show this morning, commentating on the boxing. He just announced he's hanging them up. No big surprise, he was a very good, skilled fighter and should be proud of his achievements. Dared to fight the best, but fell short against the likes of Lomachenko, Garcia and Linares, but there is no shame in that.
Enjoy retirement Luke. I was always a big fan of him and I was disappointed he never won a world title, as I’d been adamant he would have. He was always good to watch, but certainly despite carrying respectable power it was never quite enough at the higher levels. I felt he would have beaten Fortuna and had a few politics gone his way, he could have had the WBC title around his waist, but as things were he was forced into a tricky fight with Garcia and caught with a peach.
Good luck to him, hope he enjoys retirement. I for one thought he would continue as I do think he has what it takes to be a world champion given the right night and opponent. He arguably beat Linares and was impressive against Garcia too. He didn't disgrace himself against Loma either. A great achievement in being an Olympic gold medallist and whilst he didn't get a world title in the pro game, he can look himself in the mirror and know that he faced some of the very best around.
Always came across very likeable and down to earth. His style didn’t really carry over that well from amateurs to the pro ranks but was in some good fights and no doubt made a few quid. Good luck to him. Up there with the best Brits not to win a world title.
Seems like a top guy, had a go with the best so can never have any what ifs. Hopefully a happy retirement.
He’s another one for most underrated the past decade. He was fantastic on his day, shame he never got the world title as there’s been many others with a lot less talent who’ve picked them up.
Surprised at this, I thought he had a long time left in the game. An excellent fighter. Just fell short at world level but he took some of the best on and did himself proud.
Surprised but probably a wise decision. His chance to win a world title is gone. He's been unlucky to have boxed in the era he did as he was better than Crolla and Flanagan who both won world titles.
I'm also a bit surprised at this, he had the ability to win a world title but luck and matchmaking conspired against him. I thought he had another 1-2 fights in him at least he did not seem like a tired or worn out fighter, yes he's 33 but not so many miles on the clock really especially compared to some. Financially I would have thought he certainly has incentives to keep on fighting. Good luck to him regardless, a nice guy by all accounts and a very talented boxer.
I think he's done the right thing. Those last couple of fights may have swelled his pension pot, but they could've also took a toll on a body that's been stressed for a long time now. He seems like a sensible lad, hopefully he's made some wise decisions with his earnings and he's young and likeable enough to do something else in the sport if he chooses to. As others have said, easily one of the best Brits not to win a world title and even without that he's given us some fine night's entertainment. Hope he's happy with his decision and stays with it.
Always liked Luke and think there are a lot worse British fighters that have won world titles. He will always have his Olympic gold.
Took tough fights, good skills and seemed genuinely a good bloke. If you had told him when he first laced them up he would be an ABA champion, European amateur champion, world championship silver medalist and Olympic champion as as an amateur and challenge for a world title as a pro I’m sure he wouldn’t have believed you, Regardless of his pro career he must be considered one of Britain’s best amateur boxers ever. Good career, i would have loved to have seen him win a world title as a pro but unfortunately that was never to be. Hope he has a nice retirement.
Spot on. Luck and timing is everything in boxing, look at Charles’ Martin for example - gets a shot from doing nothing and then the fella he’s fighting gets injured and he wins the world title.
Lots of respect to him, he stepped up and couldn't cut it against the most elite pros but he always gave it a go. No shame in what he has achieved and unfortunately was bad timing for him in many ways.