by Matthew Macklin: Last month, at the O2 Arena in London, around the half way point in my fight with Brian Rose, I knew it was time to retire. My face was marking up, I was getting frustrated at not being able to land my shots and I knew that physically, after a long career my body was telling me that enough was enough. I also knew that I didn’t want to go out like that so with the help of my brother Seamus I decided to end my career on my terms and pulled the win out of the bag in the last few rounds. Deep down I came to the realisation on the night that it was probably going to be my last fight. I turn 34 in two days time and, after much reflection I have decided that following 24 years in the sport, over 80 amateur fights and 41 professional fights, it is time to hang up my gloves.
Matthew Macklin
Matthew Macklin wins gruelling battle with Brian Rose, scores majority decision win
Tonight in London on the big O2 card, middleweights Matthew Macklin and Brian Rose engaged in a gruelling, tiring and very likely ageing battle. Macklin, in a must-win fight he said he would retire from the sport with if he lost, edged Rose over 12 tough rounds via majority verdict. Now 35-6(22) the 33-year old prevailed by scores of 115-111 twice (which seemed far too close) and 113-113. Rose, the younger man by two years, falls to 28-4(8).
End of the Title Road for Macklin?
The end of the road may have arrived for former middleweight world title challenger Matthew Macklin – at least at top level – after he appeared to struggle last night in his first fight back down at 154 in 9 years, squaring off against former British title challenger, Jason Welborn.
Macklin, now 33, was making noise about still wanting to win a world title, something he felt he could achieve by moving back down, although given last night’s showing in Birmingham, many are left wondering what is left for him at the top end of the sport.
Matthew Macklin: I Still Believe I Can Win a World Title
2x former world title challenger Matthew Macklin (33-6, 22ko) is convinced that he can still capture the world honours that have proven frustratingly elusive, with a move down from middleweight to 154 lbs potentially the key to success.
The 33 year old begins his quest against Jason Welborn (17-3, 6ko) in Birmingham on Saturday night, his first fight at the new weight in 9 years, and a crucial bounce back from his crushing – and somewhat surprise – defeat at the hands of Jorge Sebastian Heiland a year ago.
Matthew Macklin Wants One Last Run at a Title / Secures Victory in Marbella Last Night
Former 2x middleweight world title challenger Matthew Macklin (33-6, 22ko) is convinced he has still has more to give at the top level, and took another small step toward getting his career back on track last night in Marbella, when he stopped German club fighter Chris Hermann (19-7-1, 10ko) inside a round on a show put on by the promotional arm of his MGM gymnasium, which is located in the Spanish resort.
‘I touched him (Hermann) with the uppercut to bring his hands up and that gave me the opening to the liver/floating rib area… when you land clean there with a bit of power, not too many guys get up from it,’ Macklin said following the body shot victory.