Carl Frampton announces retirement after defeat to Jamel Herring

The 34-year-old Northern Irish fighter was hoping to land the WBO super-featherweight world title but instead departs the sport entirely

(Getty Images)

Carl Frampton announced that he is retiring from boxing, within minutes of his Saturday night defeat to Jamel Herring.

In the build-up to the fight, the Northern Irishman had already vowed to walk away from the sport if he did lose and stayed true to his word after being knocked down in the fifth and sixth rounds against the American.

An emotional Frampton declared his intent to focus on life away from the ring, a dozen years after his professional debut.

"I said before this fight that I would retire if I lost and that's exactly what I'll do,” he said.

“I've been away so long, I've missed them so much, I want to dedicate my life to my family now. Last few years my wife has been the best to me. I just want to go back to my wife and kids.”

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The American had his opponent scrambling after knocking him to the canvas in successive rounds and, despite Frampton getting back to hit feet, he remained unsteady and off-balance and his corner threw in the towel with one minute and 40 seconds gone in the sixth.

Frampton made no excuses for the outcome of the fight, praising the performance of Herring in Dubai.

"I got beat by the better man, sharp-shooting from a distance, perfect game plan, I just got beat, zero excuses.

“I had an amazing camp, I got beat by the better man."

Frampton ends his career with a record of 28-3, with 16 knockouts.