Three-weight world champion Jorge Linares has announced his retirement from the sport following his unanimous points defeat against Jack Catterall at the M&S Bank arena in Liverpool.
Linares, who was boxing in the UK for the fourth time, was ultimately outclassed by Caterall, who continued his pursuit towards securing himself a super-lightweight world title opportunity as he continued his rebuild following his controversial points defeat to Josh Taylor in February of 2022, falling short in his undisputed title challenge against his domestic rival.
Speaking to several reporters post-fight in the dressing room corridors at M&S arena, Jorge would confirm that he is closing his career when asked by Boxing News.
“I didn’t care if i lost or not. I’m finished in a good way, and I’m super happy. I do not need to show anybody who i am. I made a lot of good fights, with fifty-six fights in my career, so i do not need to show anybody who i am.
“I came here to the UK and made a beautiful show (alongside Catterall), and it was important how i finished. i finished by decision, so that’s a good thing, and that’s why I’m super happy.”
Linares would continue and compliment Catterall on his performance, insisting that he should be world champion because Linares believed that he did not deserve to Josh Taylor.
“He (Jack) is an amazing fighter. He has a lot of punches (in his repertoire), and he has a lot of talent and a difficult style, which i found difficult. I respect him (Catterall), and i am going to give him my congratulations. In my opinion, he is a world champion, he (Catterall) never lost the fight with (Josh) Taylor, and he is much better than Taylor.”
Linares was pushed for clarity regarding his future, and he re-affirmed to reporters that he would be hanging up the gloves for good.
“This is the last fight of my career. I told my team, wife and family that if i lost this fight, that i am going to retire. I lost in a good way, so that is why i am happy.”
Linares held world titles in the featherweight division (WBC, 2007-2008), super-featherweight (WBA, 2008-2009) and a successful period as lightweight champion between 2014 and 2018.
During his four-year reign as the WBC (world and diamond) and WBA lightweight world champion, Linares would also hold the Ring magazine title and play his part in an entertaining and strong division during his period as champion.
Linares would ultimately be dethrone of his Ring and WBA title against Vasyl Lomachenko in May of 2018, succumbing to a tenth-round knockout following a body shot from Lomachenko.
Linares finished his career with forty-seven wins against nine defeats, with twenty-nine wins coming by knockout.
