Andrew Buchanan has been forced to call
time on his boxing career after suffering a serious eye injury.
The 35-year-old picked up the injury during
sparring, and after seeking specialist help has been advised to retire to avoid
further health implications.
The career-ending injury comes after a
promising spell for Buchanan, in which he was unbeaten in six fights (two
draws), and had progressed up the super middleweight rankings to earn an
eliminator for the English title.
Speaking on the decision to retire, he
said:
“The injury is constantly giving me bother,
and the doctors have advised me to not take any risks with it. If I was young,
I could get surgery, but at my age I think it is time to take a step-back from
boxing.
“I have to put my health first. It has been
a tough decision, but I need to do what is best for my family. They are always
going to be number one, and I want to make sure I can be there for them.
“I would like to thank anyone who has seen me
fight or supported me. I’ve really appreciated the support I have got over the
years.”
Buchanan held a prestigious amateur record
and boxed for England, but upon turning professional was often plagued with
misfortune and inactivity.
The Newcastle boxer fought 11 times in a
stop-start career, recording eight wins, two draws and just one defeat.
North East fight fans will hold Buchanan’s
draw against Jonson McClumpha in high regard, as the six-round bout that
featured on Phil Jeffries’ 2013 Summer Rumble was hailed as a contender for
regional fight of the year.
Only five months later, Buchanan solidified
his reputation as a technically sound operator by outpointing Gary Boulden over
ten rounds to lift the International Masters title.
But in a bid to box more regularly and aim
for major titles, ‘El Cannon’ joined Fighting Chance’s stable in January 2015.
Although he only fought once under the
Fighting Chance banner, Buchanan is extremely grateful for the opportunities
provided at the Felling-based gym.
“I would have liked more fights under the
Fighting Chance stable.
“Ron Rowe (FC chief coach) and Lewis
Pendleton (FC director) have done everything they have said they would do when
I originally signed. I really can’t fault them.
“They showed a lot of faith in me, and got
me a lot of good opportunities. They pushed me towards a Northern Area title,
and an English title eliminator."
Buchanan insists he will continue to
support the Fighting Chance stable, and is hopeful that in the future he can
step into a coaching role and pass on guidance to the rising crop.
He added: “I want some time with my family
first, but I’ve spoke to Ron and Lewis about helping out in the future with Fighting
Chance in a coaching role.
“It would be great to put something back
into the sport. I still have a lot of boxing knowledge that I can pass on.
“I like picking up on certain
techniques, and hopefully I can do that at the Fighting Chance gym.”
Fighting Chance chief coach, Ronnie Rowe
worked with Buchanan as an amateur, before they re-united in the
professional ranks.
Speaking on Buchanan’s decision to retire,
he said:
“He has been a great part of the team.
Unfortunately boxing is a tough sport and these things happen. We wish him all
the best for the future.
“In the short period he has been with us,
it has been a brilliant experience. We would love to have him back to help with
coaching. He still has a lot to give to boxing, and will remain part of the
Fighting Chance organisation."
Fighting Chance director, Lewis Pendleton
added: “I’m incredibly disappointed that due to Andy’s serious eye injury, we
will not be able to get him the title we promised.
“He is a model professional and a fantastic
ambassador for the sport. He is probably the most gifted boxer to not win a
major title.
“Everyone at Fighting Chance wishes Andy
every success in the future. Ultimately he has made the right decision, as
family and health is far more important than any boxing title.”
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