26 fights, 20 wins, 13 knockouts. Lee Purdy the former British and IBF International Welterweight Champion is hanging up the gloves at age 27. His promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the retirement yesterday.
The news is mostly put down to the fact that Purdy sustained a severed and detached retina in his left eye during a fight with long reigning European Champion Leonard Bundu late in 2013. At the time the extent of the injuries were not know and he was expect to return to the ring in late 2014 or early 2015 and excitement in the UK was beginning to build after it was suggested he could be fighting the winner of Frankie Gavin and Bradley Skeete for the British title.
In an interview with IFL TV Purdy said that he was happy with his career. He never had much of an amateur background and never expected to be in British Title fights.
He went all the way to world level when he fought Devon Alexander in 2013. In a career that started in 2006 with no amateur experience to speak of it is an impressive feat to make such an impact on the domestic level of the sport.
At the end of the interview Purdy mentioned that he had been told by doctors it would be 12-18 months before he knew how is eye sight was going to be affected in the long run. Lee Purdy is still undergoing treatment and due to the nature of this injury its very unlikely we will see a comeback from him at any point. Nevertheless this was a great career to watch and had many memorable moments along the way.
