European title holder Eric Donovan announces retirement

Reigning EU Super Featherweight champion Eric Donovan has announced his retirement from boxing at the age of 35.

The five-time Irish elite champion's final bout was a gruelling 12-round contest against France's Khalil El Hadri in September to take the title.

It made his record 16 wins from 18 outings since joining the paid ranks in 2016, with his only defeats coming against Zelpa Barrett and double Olympic gold medallist Robeisy Ramirez.

Last month Donovan said he hadn’t decided on his future and whether the European title would bring the curtain down on a six-year pro career, leaving his options open in relation to the vacancy for high performance director at the IABA.

Now the Naas native has called time on his career.

"After a lot of consideration and discussion with my family and team, I have decided to hang up the gloves. Some of the best experiences and memories of my life have come from boxing," he said in a statement this evening.

"Now after 30 years in the game, I am finally content with my achievements in the ring."

Happy and content to announce my retirement from boxing. Thanks for all the incredible support, it was some journey. ❤️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/pGMaO0R4Qx

Speaking ahead of his title victory at the Europa Hotel by unanimous verdict, Donovan alluded to darker days in his earlier life, missed opportunities in the ring and how a European would now bring about a sense of fulfilment.

"I'm so happy in my life right now," he said at the time. "My wife Laura is expecting our first child together and I've two sons as well. Laura said to me the other day 'we're living the best days of our lives'.

"We really are. The fact that I'm boxing for a European title on Saturday night is incredible, it's extraordinary. I like to live