Oleksandr Gvozdyk has Retired

[Ruthless-RKO]

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - The former world light heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk has retired, his manager said Wednesday.

Egis Klimas wrote on Instagram that "he is retiring" and wished the 33-year-old Ukrainian luck in his new career.

Gvozdyk won the WBC title in December 2018 when he knocked out Adonis Stevenson, who had held the belt for five years. His Canadian opponent suffered a brain injury in the fight in Quebec which left him needing surgery and long-term care.

Gvozdyk retained the belt in his first title defense when Doudou Ngumbu suffered a leg injury, but lost it last year in a stoppage loss to Russian fighter Artur Beterbiev. That was Gvozdyk's only loss of a 17-1 pro career.

Gvozdyk also won a bronze medal for Ukraine at light heavyweight at the 2012 Olympics.

Gvozdyk has previously spoken of his interest in moving into business and told Ukrainian website Tribuna last year that he would "never say never" to politics.

[Ruthless-RKO]

His manager, Egis Klimas, told ESPN that Gvozdyk (17-1, 14 KOs) was stepping away from the ring to pursue business opportunities.

"He's a very smart guy, so he thinks it's going to be inconvenient for him to do that kind of business and box at the same time," Klimas said on Tuesday afternoon. "So he needs to give himself 100% to boxing or business. So he decided to do that."

Klimas insists that Gvozdyk's decision had nothing to do with his 10th-round stoppage loss to Artur Beterbiev last October in what was a unification clash.

"Actually, what kept him from moving away from boxing, that motivation to go back into the ring, was Beterbiev," Klimas explained. "That was the only one holding him because he wanted to get that rematch. There might be a possibility that someone will get him a rematch, he might change his mind."

"All you need to know is that I wasn't planning on coming back [to train], just like I wasn't with Timmy Bradley at the time. I only did it because of the kind of human being that he was -- same as Timmy," said Atlas, who spoke with Gvozdyk about his decision on Monday.

"Obviously he was a tremendous fighter, a bronze medalist, won a world title. But again, it starts with me, my decision to train him, it was all based on visiting him for a few days and seeing the kind of person, the father, husband and man that he was."

Atlas says of Gvozdyk's effort versus Stevenson, "He fought just about as perfect a strategic fight as one could." Adding, "He showed everything you need to have to become a world champion in that one fight."

Gvozdyk was promoted by Top Rank throughout his professional career.

"It's been a pleasure for us to have promoted Oleksandr Gvozdyk, who not only proved himself to be a great fighter, but is also one of the most highly intelligent boxers that we have had the pleasure of promoting," said Bob Arum of Top Rank. "Thankfully we worked well together with him and lead him to a world championship.

"He's now bound and determined to pursue a business career, and a very important business opportunity. We know he will succeed because of his ability, character and perseverance. Everybody at Top Rank wishes him the greatest good fortune in his next career."

[DrDuke]

So, he was seen as a future of the division more than the others, but he was broken in his first defeat.

[lazboy]

Fair game to him and nothing to be ashamed of given how much he achieved in the sport. Not everybody can be or wants to be an ATG. He has interests and a life outside of boxing, enjoy.

[gregregegg]

I mean, without belt he isnt go to get good fights or good pay days. risk vs reward is all wrong. So he would have to work to mandatory, and at 33, its fair to not want to campaign through weird times, and then mabey work your way into a shot.

[Cent0089]

This is shocker for me. Was really impressed with Stevenson win, disapointed with Beterbiev loss. He has at least 2 prime years ahead od him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

This is shocker for me. Was really impressed with Stevenson win, disapointed with Beterbiev loss. He has at least 2 prime years ahead od him.

Yeh, plus he turned pro late, but was in his prime. Most Eastern European boxers go on til they 38-40..

[Duran1970]

We'll see how fast he unretires when his phone rings with a nice offer.

[Cent0089]

This decision does not make sense to me. Okay, Beterbiev have his number, but there is still lot of good matches for him - Bivol, Eleider Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, Joe Smith, Jesse Hart, they are all with Top Rank. He must have very good backup plan.

[lazboy]

This decision does not make sense to me. Okay, Beterbiev have his number, but there is still lot of good matches for him - Bivol, Eleider Alvarez, Gilberto Ramirez, Joe Smith, Jesse Hart, they are all with Top Rank. He must have very good backup plan.

He seems bright. It’s ok to have a career change. Yes shocking for us but he’s probably made some money and has options. I’ve only followed him these last couple of years but clearly boxing has dominated most of his life.

[gilgamesh]

A surprise, but considering the fate that awaited Stevenson at the end of their bout I can see why something like that would scare a guy enough to want to call it quits early on a career in the fight game.

He's seen first hand pretty close to the worst case scenario that Boxing can produce. Something like that probably f*cks with you a lot every time you go to fight after that.

I enjoyed him, and would've liked to have seen more of him, but I get why he'd want to step away.

That being said a comeback wouldn't surprise me. Almost never does.

[Noxy]

Maybe he just can’t be doing with it anymore.

[diddy]

I would need to know what kind of "business" he is doing outside the ring to really comment on whether or not he will be back. Kessler walked away because he had money making ability outside of boxing but OG is younger than Kessler was so the money would have to be really good doing this business to keep him from coming back. I would say, sight unseen, its 60/40 he will come back.

[margaret thatcher]

Lol they are very vague on the 'business' he's into

[Enlightened-One]

So, he was seen as a future of the division more than the others, but he was broken in his first defeat.

It’s not uncommon to see fighters’ decline (due to losing their passion for the sport), immediately after inflicting a serious life-changing injury (or even death) on their opponent.

It obvious doesn't always happen, but it's incredibly easy to supply several examples to illustrate when it has happened.

[Loki]

So, he was seen as a future of the division more than the others, but he was broken in his first defeat.

It’s not uncommon to see fighters’ decline (due to losing their passion for the sport), immediately after inflicting a serious life-changing injury (or even death) on their opponent.

It obvious doesn't always happen, but it's incredibly easy to supply several examples to illustrate when it has happened.

Eubank wasn’t the same (didn’t go for the kill, sorry poor choice of words) after the Watson fight/tragedy. You can also argue Benn was different after McCellen.

[margaret thatcher]

Tbh, Bert totally broke him. Physically and mentally. Wouldn't be surprised if that did it.

[punchoutsb]

Good for him. Do what you want to do and then get out and use the money you made to make you more money. By far the smartest approach to combat sports.

[gilgamesh]

Good for him. Do what you want to do and then get out and use the money you made to make you more money. By far the smartest approach to combat sports.

Yeah, if he sticks with it.

Much better to use the sport to better your life than to let the sport drain you of yours. Combat Sports has a way of beating you until there's nothing left, and then beating you some more if you let it.

[JxhDel.]

It is a shame but Beterbiev demolished him in such fashion (even if I felt Gvozdyk was up in my scorecard) that may have shattered his confidence altogether. I popped hard when he dethroned Stevenson.

[Ruthless-RKO]

It is a shame but Beterbiev demolished him in such fashion (even if I felt Gvozdyk was up in my scorecard) that may have shattered his confidence altogether. I popped hard when he dethroned Stevenson.

Beterbiev became too much for him..