BoxRec

Neil Sinclair has decided to retire after his loss to Frannie Jones, here's what he said.

The 33-year-old sat slumped on a sofa post-fight recalling the days when cutting through the best of British with ease and claiming a Lonsdale belt outright in 2002 just a few years after coming through dark depression that kept him out of the ring for 18 months.

"You know when I think about the serious illness that I came back from to fight for a world title and win the Lonsdale belt for keeps, I'm proud of myself," said Sinclair.

" Better to find out now than later on. That's it for me. I know that guy wouldn't have lived with me a few years ago," added Sinclair.

" I needed to know and now I do. In this game you need that hunger, it has to mean everything and I didn't have that any more.

"I wanted to give it another go, I wanted to try and get back to the top but not in the way I did when I was 24 and 25.

"I have no regrets, I've had a great career and I've had great support from my family, so much support I didn't think I could pay them back and John Breen has been great for me, he always believed in me.

"But I think that a few years ago when I was pulling out of fights and I just wasn't enjoying the sport, that's when things changed. That wasn't by coincidence."

"Boxing is what I've done since I was nine years of age, it's all I know so it will be hard to come terms with but at the same time a new world now opens up to me, a new opportunity.

"I would like to stay in the sport in some capacity because I think I have a lot to offer. No regrets, no regrets."

well said neil, good luck in the future and thanks for the entertainment. you gave me hope and excitement when you put santos on his arse...but hey, thats boxing.

well done for calling it a day finally, please stick to your decision.

Yet another reminder of that fateful day in Sheffield.
The impact that bill of boxing had on so many people is unbelievable.
I don't think Neil was ever the same, but I lived in hope.

twenty six wrote:Yet another reminder of that fateful day in Sheffield.
The impact that bill of boxing had on so many people is unbelievable.
I don't think Neil was ever the same, but I lived in hope.

What's that all about?

1-12-2000 when Sinky fought Santos.
Sickening knockout in the 2nd. As Rhino points out Sinky had him down in the 1st and we were all expecting great things but that's boxing.
Also the bill when Ingle suffered his horrendous head injury, Pickering suffered a sickening ko against Martinez in the 1st.
If you were there you wouldn't forget.
Like I say I don't think Neil was ever the same after that.

i was in sheffield that night and remember it well but that wasn't the end of sinky.

i was at leeds town hall a couple of years later when he did roche in a round and he was flying high again then.

twenty six wrote:1-12-2000 when Sinky fought Santos.
Sickening knockout in the 2nd. As Rhino points out Sinky had him down in the 1st and we were all expecting great things but that's boxing.
Also the bill when Ingle suffered his horrendous head injury, Pickering suffered a sickening ko against Martinez in the 1st.
If you were there you wouldn't forget.
Like I say I don't think Neil was ever the same after that.

remember freitas' stunning KO of alicia too, christ, when i look back at it that was one hell of a nights boxing from allegedly.

dont forget keeton v scott - what a war

Yeah and Calzaghe vs Woodhall was that night aswell, one of the last of the truly great UK bills.

I did think Sinclair got over that performance. To be honest, I never thought he was as special as people made him out to be. Pretty much achieved his potential IMO by winning the lonsdale belt for keeps, but I did expect him to be a top domestic fighter for longer than he was.

I hope he has got a good support system, despression is a bastard and its almost like alcoholism, it can easily comeback and you are never over it.

Appreciate what you're saying Lowersmiths but I never really thought Sinky would reach the levels I expected pre Santos.
There were other sickening ko's as well, as pointed out.
In fact the only Sheffield boxer who had a decent straight forward night of it was Rhodes.

Just wanted to say good luck to Neil and his family.
I think it's a wise decision, and I hope he can find a role in boxing, because it would be a shame for the sport to lose him altogether.

A TRUE IRISH WARRIOR