Calzaghe retires from boxing

The 36-year-old Welshman, who outpointed Roy Jones Jnr in his last fight in November, confirmed he was hanging up his gloves after winning all of his 46 professional bouts.

"It was a difficult decision but I have achieved everything I wanted to achieve in boxing," he told BBC Sport. "I've been world champion for 11 years. I've got no other goals to go for. That's why I am calling it a day."

Calzaghe climbed off the canvas after a first-round knock-down to maintain his unblemished record against Jones Jnr in New York.

That unanimous points decision saw him retain the Ring light heavyweight title he won by beating Bernard Hopkins on a split decision last April.

He had already confirmed his dominance of the super-middleweight division with victory over Mikkel Kessler the previous November which allowed him to unify the WBO, WBA and WBC belts.

"I had a long think with my family," Calzaghe added, explaining the reasons behind his retirement. My children wanted me to give up, plus my mum. That's why I called it a day and will go on to do something else."

The Newbridge fighter did not rule out completely a return to boxing at some point in the future, but admitted it was unlikely.

"My decision is to retire. I've been boxing for 25 years and, like I said, I've achieved everything I want to achieve," he said.

"You can never say never in this game, but I can't see myself boxing again. There's loads of things I want to do. I'm proud to be one of only a few fighters in history to retire undefeated."