Josh Taylor has called a halt to his stellar career in boxing on health advice over an ongoing eye injury.
Taylor reigned as an undisputed champion at the peak of his frightening powers in 2021, becoming the first Brit to hold all four belts simultaneously.
But his form has declined significantly and he suffered a third consecutive defeat in his duel with Ekow Essuman in May.
Many inside the boxing fraternity advised him that his time may be up.
But it is an injury that has ultimately seen him call time on his epic run in the squared circle.
The gifted operator released an emotional statement on social media, which read: “Right folks, this isn’t an easy post for me to write, but on the advice of my doctors, it’s sadly a necessary one.
“As has been publicised before, I’ve had a recurring issue with my eye that unfortunately means I now have to call time on my career or risk losing my eyesight.
“Whilst the fighter in me always wants to box on, I know I have to listen to the medical professionals and save me from myself.
“It is certainly not the way I wanted to bow out, but I have to listen to the doctors and those around me.
“I am just a kid from the Pans who scaled the very top of the sport but I could not have done it without those who have supported me, through thick and thin.
“I know that British boxing, and Scottish boxing in particular, is in an exciting place with the focus that you have on bringing through the next generation of world champions.
“It’s now time for me to reflect on a 1 in 70 million career and look forward to what’s coming next. Thank you once again, and God bless.”
Taylor had an epic rise in the sport reaching world champion after just 15 fights.
His most successful night came against Jose Ramirez on US soil, whom he beat to be crowned undisputed champion.
But in one of boxing’s most memorable British clashes, Taylor controversially beat Jack Catterall in 2022 to retain the belts, despite many believing he had lost.
He went on to fall to defeat against Teofimo Lopez, before his big rematch with Catterall in 2024 also ended in heartbreak as their rivalry was settled.
Taylor looked a shadow of his sensational self in his most recent outing this year.
But he had still defiantly vowed to try his best to fight on despite various calls to hang up his gloves.
The Scotsman will go down as one of the best and most talented boxers from the UK in the modern era.
And his legacy will remain cemented in the sport, bringing whole new audiences to lower weight divisions outside of the glamour heavyweight class.
He continued his statement by thanking several key figures who aided his rise to the pinnacle of the sweet science.
Taylor added: “First and foremost, I cannot thank you, the fans, enough. You always gave me your all, spending your hard earned money to come and watch me fight.
“To Top Rank (Bob, Carl, Brad, Jeremy and Mel T), you helped turn my dreams into a reality in becoming undisputed world champion and boxing me in Vegas and MSG.
“More recently, I want to thank Frank and George Warren at Queensberry for giving me the opportunity to headline at the Hydro once more in front of the fans that I love.
“A massive thank you to all of my sponsors over the years, and in particular, Ross at Seconds Out Fight Store who’s supported me from the very start when I competed at the Commonwealth Games.
To my lawyer, Tom Grant, aka Jerry Maguire, aka Big Tam, thank you for navigating this mad sport with me and always having my back. I only wish we’d met 10 years earlier.
“To my coaches over the years – Terry McCormack, Shane McGuigan, Ben Davison, and most recently Joe McNally – thank you for all the time, energy, and guidance you’ve invested in me, taking me to the very heights of the sport.
“And finally, my family and my beautiful wife, Danielle, who’s been by my side every step of the way. Words will never do justice to what your unwavering love and support means to me.