Kevin Sanders retires from boxing

[Old bones Ian]

Respected trainer Kevin Sanders has retired from boxing , it comes after Matt Skeltons failed EU title bid at the weekend. here's what Kevin said

"Matt has had a recurring hand injury for the past two years and it flared up again on Saturday.

"The kid wasn't that special and he wouldn't even have lived with Matt 12 months ago, but Matt never got out of the blocks and when I saw he was well behind on the scorecards after the seventh round, I pulled him out.

"Matt would have carried on because he has a huge amount of willpower, but I knew he wasn't going to win the fight and I have no doubt I made the right decision.

"And I feel the same way about choosing to pack things in there and then. I am definitely finished now in boxing and I am delighted that Matt has decided to call it a day as well."

Sanders added: "I have always said I would come out of the game when Matt did. I have been lucky enough to enjoy a really great career, but all things must come to an end.

"Boxing has been my life since I was 10 years old, so I know I am going to miss it like hell, but I'm convinced this is the right time for me to go.

"I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone – and that really does mean every single person or company – that has helped me along the way since I set up home here in 1982.

"People have always supported me around here and the local community mean a lot to me. I can still remember the first interview I did with Bob French (the current Evening Telegraph sports editor) back in 1983 and it was a great honour to win the ET's Sports Personality of the Year award in 2004.

"I must give one really big thank-you to SJS Plastering because they backed me to the hilt when I was working with Nigel Benn at a time when no-one else gave me a pot to pee in and I have to mention my wife Vivienne who has always been my rock.

"I still drink in the same places and talk to the same people about the same things as when I first got here and I am lucky to have mostly fantastic memories from boxing.

"Things like being associated with Gary De Roux when he became the first local fighter to win a British title in 1991 and helping Dave Pierre get a Southern area belt were great for both me and the city as a whole."

[DavidPayne]

Good luck to Matt and Kevin in the future.

[Adamj1987]

good luck to both

[teddy007]

Good luck to Matt and Kevin in the future.

x2

[saturday_kid]

All the best for the future to both of them, always seemed genuine good guys.

[JamesH]

yes agree, they are top blokes... wish them the best...

[Deserter]

Comes across as a great guy and wish him all the best

[rhino222]

good luck to both kevin and matt.....and im hoping the 2 year hand injury is not trying to take the icing off martin rogans cake when he so admirably stopped skelton.

[alexpaterson]

Good luck to both of them they have both had good careers for coming into the game so late

[Scrap]

Good Matt, Kevin it was a pleasure knowing you Top Mam

[stujones]

good luck to both kevin and matt.....and im hoping the 2 year hand injury is not trying to take the icing off martin rogans cake when he so admirably stopped skelton.

My thoughts actually, before reading Sanders' comments, just when reading the result. Pianeta is one of the most average undefeated "contenders"/prospects I have ever seen in the Heavyweight devision. Disappointing that he was well clear, and it does (IMO) take a little bit of the shine off Rogan's performance.

But still, Martin's performance against Harrison was a good un.

[TerribleTerry]

Sad to see them both leaving the sport but there comes a time for us all to retire.

If you want to see the Skelton v Pianeta fight, the good people at fightfranchise have come up with the goods again and a stream and download version are available over on their forum