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Pocket Rocket calls it quits

Irishman decides to hang up his gloves after 15-year career in the ring

Last updated: 22nd June 2008

McCullough: A former WBC bantamweight champion

I'm disappointed with the way things went but I just felt I couldn't go on

Wayne McCullough
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Wayne McCullough immediately announced his retirement from boxing after quitting on his stool midway through a fight in the Cayman Islands.

The former WBC bantamweight champion was making his return to the ring after a three-year absence against American Juan Ruiz.

Despite being ahead on two of three judges scorecards after six rounds, the Belfast-born fighter told his corner he could not go on.

"I think this is my last fight and I want to thank you all for coming," he told the crowd afterwards. "I'm disappointed with the way things went but I just felt I couldn't go on."

Olympic pedigree

A silver medallist at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, McCullough had 34 fights as a professional, winning 27 of them.

The 37-year-old became a world champion in 1995 when he got the better of a split-decision verdict against Yasuei Yakushiji in Japan.

A move up to super-bantamweight saw him challenge four times for the WBC strap only to lose on each occasion, one of which saw him take the legendary Erik Morales the full 12 rounds.

He also made the leap up to featherweight to challenge then WBO champions Naseem Hamed and Scott Harrison, losing to both on points.

After having the chance to clear his head following his sudden announcement, McCullough admitted that from the opening round he quickly realised time had caught up with him.

Sharpness

"I knew after the first round against Ruiz that it just wasn't there any more. I was ahead on two of the three judges' cards but I didn't have the snap or sharpness.

"I'm glad that I was able to make the decision myself and that it wasn't a doctor or someone else telling me that I can't fight any more.

"I always said that when I retired that would be it and I would never come back and I'll be sticking to that.

"At the end of the sixth round I told my corner I couldn't go on. I suppose time has caught up with me and being inactive didn't help.