‘Boom Boom’ Ger Healy announces retirement

Belfast light middleweight Gerard Healy has announced his retirement from professional boxing at the age of 35.

The Lenadoon puncher confirmed the news on social media this afternoon.

Healy compiled a 7(0)-5(2)-1 record since turning pro in 2011 and fought on major arena cards and on live TV as well as being a fixture of the Belfast small hall scene.

Always one for an all-Irish fight, ‘Boom Boom’ would take on Dee Walsh early on in his career, losing on points but giving his fellow Belfast man a tough fight. A stoppage loss to future world champion Liam Smith followed before a shock defeat to Willie Warburton.

Healy would face John Hutchinson twice in the space of six months, losing over four rounds before a big eight-round rematch was cut short due to cuts. Rebuilding, Healy would bag five wins across the next five years including revenge over Warburton.

In what would be his final fight, Healy entered the Ireland’s Last Man Standing competition last year but was beaten in the opening round by JJ McDonagh.

In a statement, Healy said that “it’s so hard for me to do.”

“I’ve had some amazing times in the world of boxing, getting to box on the undercards of some amazing world champions such as Tyson Fury and Tony Bellew and I fought in big arenas on live TV, things I had never dreamt of doing.”

“I want to thank all of my trainers who helped me along the way and most importantly to the big legend himself who sadly passed away a few months back Paul McCullagh who taught me everything I needed to know about the game.”

“I will truly miss not fighting but I have moved on to the next chapter of my life now.”

“Thank you to everyone who got behind me through the years supporting me ,I really do appreciate it.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)