Irelands Bernard Dunne announces Retirement

[-Reason-]

Former WBA World Super-Bantamweight champion Bernard Dunne has announced his retirement from boxing.

Dunne confirmed his decision in an interview with RTÉ Sport's Joe Stack, claiming 'it is time to step on and face new challenges'.

The Neilstown man said: 'After a long thought-out process and speaking with my family I've decided to announce my retirement from boxing.

'I've achieved all my life dreams and ambitions in the sport and it is the right moment for me.

'I'm 30 years of age and it is time to step on and face new challenges.'

Dunne highlighted his victory over Ricardo Cordoba in front of a capacity crowd in Dublin's O2 Arena last March to win the WBA World Super-Bantamweight title as the highlight of his career.

The feat came on the same day as Ireland winning the Grand Slam in the Six Nations on what was one of the greatest days in the history of Irish sport.

'There have been so many highs in my career but to pick one out you'd have to pick the night against Cordoba.

'It is the stuff dreams are really made of. That night was, I suppose you could say, like a movie script.'

[Fox McCloud]

Weird... he had pretty lackluster career. He must not have had high hopes if he achieved all his dreams.

He wasn't even a real world champion FFS.

[-Reason-]

Weird... he had pretty lackluster career. He must not have had high hopes if he achieved all his dreams.

He wasn't even a real world champion FFS.

He should of reunited with Freddie Roach

[Savino]

It's the right choice from Dunne. Thought he would of annouced it alot earlier after Poonsawat smashed. Kinda wish he fought Munroe before he called it aday, would of been nice to see him beat Munroe.

[BritishBoxing92]

Former WBA World Super-Bantamweight champion Bernard Dunne has announced his retirement from boxing.

Dunne confirmed his decision in an interview with RTÉ Sport's Joe Stack, claiming 'it is time to step on and face new challenges'.

The Neilstown man said: 'After a long thought-out process and speaking with my family I've decided to announce my retirement from boxing.

'I've achieved all my life dreams and ambitions in the sport and it is the right moment for me.

'I'm 30 years of age and it is time to step on and face new challenges.'

Dunne highlighted his victory over Ricardo Cordoba in front of a capacity crowd in Dublin's O2 Arena last March to win the WBA World Super-Bantamweight title as the highlight of his career.

The feat came on the same day as Ireland winning the Grand Slam in the Six Nations on what was one of the greatest days in the history of Irish sport.

'There have been so many highs in my career but to pick one out you'd have to pick the night against Cordoba.

'It is the stuff dreams are really made of. That night was, I suppose you could say, like a movie script.'

First time ever hearing about this fella..

[Dynamite Kid]

Thanks for the Cordoba performance,great fight.

[-Reason-]

First time ever hearing about this fella..

Your only a Newbie to the sport you see

[Savino]

Thanks for the Cordoba performance,great fight.

It was one of the fights of 2009. Amazing from start to finish....might even give it a watch tonight.

[oldgringo]

The Cordoba fight was his best performance by far. He showed a lot of heart in that fight. I didn't think he'd be able to finish Cordoba before the round ended but then he snuck in those last couple of shots to get him down a third time.

[-Reason-]

For me, I will mess bernard, I was never slow to criticise him,
He was over rated by the press but you have to respect and admire the passion he had for the sport,
He had a hell of heart and fought anybody,
His fights where always crazy....
He had two bad KO's, he has a family and kids,
He is doing the right thing,
He will never forgotten.
He is offically announcing it tonight on the irish Late Late show