Former middleweight world champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez official announced his retirement from the sport of Boxing during the Hall of Fame weekend in Canastota, New York this week.

“It’s time to step aside and continue on to new horizons,” Martinez said during part of a speech obtained by USA TODAY Sports. “I’m now retired. Thank you very much, hasta la victoria siempre (and to victory always).”
Later, Martinez also touched upon the practical reasons why he hung up the gloves.
“I am a boxer, my knee is shattered. I am 40 years old, I’m getting wrinkles and my hair is falling out. I cannot play a game of soccer with my mates, like when I was a kid, let alone return to fight at the top level” said Sergio Martinez.

Here’s a video of 1 of Martinez’s spectacular moments in the Ring, when he knocked out Paul Williams cold in their second encounter.

[ Video credit: Instagram / @boxinghighlights ]