Irish boxer Glenn Byrne announced Wednesday that his career is effectively over, less than three weeks after he was stretchered out of the ring following a knockout loss in England.
The 29-year-old Byrne, 7-1-1 (1 KO), revealed that he had suffered a brain bleed from his one punch knockout loss to William Crolla, which took place on April 3 in Cheshire, England. The knockout came at the culmination of a thrilling junior middleweight fight where Crolla, 10-1 (8 KOs), was down four times in the fight before one overhand left changed the result and ended a career.
“The journey has come to an end,” Byrne of Loughlinstown, Ireland wrote on Instagram.
“Not in the way I ever wanted, but unfortunately after my last fight I am no longer medically cleared to compete. The damage I suffered resulted in a bleed on my brain, and doctors have advised me not to continue fighting. I’m devastated, to say the least, but I’m also very fortunate that my injuries weren’t worse and that I’m in good health.”
Byrne, who had turned pro less than two years ago, expressed pride in what he was able to accomplish in his career, which included fighting in major arenas like Dublin's 3Arena, The SSE Arena in Belfast and Dublin's National Stadium.
“Boxing started as a hobby for me, but it’s something I always gave 100% to, and I truly believe I earned every opportunity that came my way,” said Byrne, who expressed gratitude towards, among others, his older brother and manager Jay Byrne.
Among those who had wished him well in his post-boxing career was Crolla, commenting on his post: “Good luck with everything Glenn I wish you nothing but the best! It was a pleasure to share the ring with you!” Crolla’s older brother, former WBA lightweight titleholder Anthony Crolla, also spoke highly of Byrne, writing “You’re one of best people you can meet. You’ve got an amazing family and people around you. You’re gonna be a success with whatever you do in life.”
