Anthony Fitzgerald has made the toughest decision a boxer every has to make, and has hung up his gloves.

The 30 year old made the announcement tonight on social media, explaining that “after long talks with my kids, my girlfriend, and my family, I’ve decided to hang up my gloves.”

“I’d like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the support through my ups and downs.”

“I’ve made some great friends and memories that will stay with me for ever.”

The popular inner-city Dub thrilled crowds throughout his seven-year career with his all-action, abrasive style and racked up a record of 18 wins and 8 losses.

‘The King of the Call-Out’ had a busy career, fighting from super middleweight down to light middleweight and taking on some huge names.

Never one to turn down a fight, Fitzgerald traded leather with Robbie Long three times, coming out with two wins, the second of which was a defence of his Irish super middleweight title won against Ciaran Healy.

Fitzgerald also holds an Irish title defence over Lee Murtagh, as well as a career-best win in 2011 over French contender Affif Belghecham.

‘The Pride of Dublin’ was defeated in 2012 by Eamonn O’Kane via split-decision in the Prizefight Irish middleweights edition and failed to gain revenge when the pair rematched for the Irish title a year later.

Sandwiched between the two O’Kane bouts was perhaps Fitzgerald’s most glorious moment in the ring – when he took on future WBO middleweight champ Andy Lee. The Dubliner gave Lee all he could handle throughout the ten rounds in a bout that some still argue that he shaded.

Fitzgerald also brought World title challenger Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam the distance before being defeated by Gary O’Sullivan in one of the biggest grudge matches in Irish boxing history.

We wish Anto all the best for the future.