Bernard Dunne retires from boxing

The speculation was confirmed this evening when former WBA super-bantamweight world champion Bernard Dunne announced his retirement from boxing. At the age of 30, the Neilstown man departs with a 28-2 (15 KO’s) record.

“After a long thought-out process and speaking with my family I've decided to announce my retirement from boxing,” Dunne told RTE sport.

“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.”

After beginning his paid career in the United States under trainer Freddie Roach, Bernard returned home to Ireland under promoter Brian Peters and coach Harry Hawkins. It was a fruitful partnership that garnered European and World titles, cementing Dunne’s place in Irish sporting history. He claimed the European title in November 2006, outpointing Esham Pickering in Dublin, before embarking on two successful defences.

 

An unblemished slate –boasting 24 straight wins- was dramatically shattered almost two years later when Spanish mandatory challenger Kiko Martinez blitzed Dunne in 90 seconds to take his crown.

 

The rebuilding process saw Bernard beat three international opponents at venues across the Isle to re-insert the confidence he had displayed prior to the Martinez mauling. In March 2009 Dunne make an audacious bid for Ricardo Cordoba’s WBA title, at home in front of a fervent Dublin crowd at the O2 arena. The atmosphere was awesome, the setting perfect and the stage set for Dunne to follow in the footsteps of Barry McGuigan and claim world title glory.

 

Dropped twice in the fifth round, those who thought Dunne could not take Cordoba’s punching power were seemingly correct, but the Dubliner was made of sterner stuff. Gritting his teeth and heeding the expert advice of Harry Hawkins he was dragged through the tough moments by his home crowd and after some savvy boxing completed a remarkable turnaround in the eleventh round.

 

An exhausted Cordoba succumbed to Dunne’s pressure in the heat of battle and hit the canvas three times before referee Hubert Earle called time and crowned a deserving world champion. Irish president Mary McAleese was one of the first on the phone to the new hero, he was physically and mentally shattered and failed to make the post-fight press conference.

 

When the dust had settled, following a period of rest, Dunne was scheduled to meet his mandatory challenger Poonsawat Kratiengdaenggym, a dangerous heavy-hitting Thai with scant regard for reputations. Following a promising start Bernard walked into a hefty combination and was floored in the third round. Despite a rousing level of volume and a spirited attempt to fight fire with fire, there was to be no dramatic reversal this time. More blows rained in and Dunne was stopped, his world title torn away in the first defence.

 

 

 

Promoter Brian Peters added, “As Bernard's manager throughout his career we've enjoyed an incredible roller-coaster journey that has been shared by the nation and Bernard is retiring safe in the knowledge that he has established himself as an Irish sporting icon.”

 

Ever since the Cordoba night, Dunne’s next move has been speculated on. At other fighter’s press conferences Brian Peters was asked continuously whether Dunne would continue fighting, if so who would he return against and had he decided to retire. Bernard has chosen the latter route and whether or not the lure of ring could, a few years down the line, change his mind only time will tell.

 

Dunne reinvigorated the sport in Ireland and brought not only exciting fights but also great occasions back to Irish boxing.