Heavyweight warrior Monte Barrett was stopped in the 4th-round by unbeaten Cuban Luis Ortiz last night, and after having once again taken a fight knowing he had with him the disadvantages that come when entering the ring having had precious little time to get ready, Barrett announced his retirement after the bout.
Now 42, “Two Gunz,” as Barrett was known throughout his up and down but always exciting career, took to social media to make his exit official.
A genuine warrior and also a genuine good guy in a sport that is often short of fighters possessing the Queen’s man’s sheer class, Barrett always fought the best while attempting to give the same.
A professional since August of 1996, Barrett would face top name after top name. Included on Monte’s CV are the following heavyweights: Wladimir Klitscko, Tim Witherspoon, Hasim Rahman, Nikolay Valuev, David Tua, Odlanier Solis, David Haye and many more.
Barrett didn’t always get the win, but he sure gave his all in trying. The one time this writer was able to watch Barrett from ringside was when he gave cruiserweight champ Haye his first heavyweight test. Once again, Monte went down swinging, his big heart allowing him to force Haye to taste the canvas in the thrilling battle.
Long after that war (at least in boxing terms) Barrett rejuvenated his career with a draw with the lethal-punching David Tua. A rematch followed the draw that saw Tua hit the mat for the only time in his career, this time the Samoan lost.
Now, after losses to Shane Cameron over a year ago and to Ortiz last night, “Two Gunz” knows he has fired all his bullets.
Walking away with a deceptively average-looking record, Barrett is safe in the knowledge that he more than paid his dues in the toughest sport in the world.
East Side Boxing would like to wish Monte all the best in his hard earned retirement.
