Simmons announces retirement after defeat to Blackpool's Askin

Stephen Simmons challenged for Askin's Lonsdale belt at London's York Hall last month but lost via knockout in the second round.

The 33-year-old Scottish cruiserweight hangs up his gloves having won 18 of his 21 fights.

Simmons said: “It’s time to enjoy spending more time with my wife and baby. I’m happy and content with retiring at this stage of my career.

“I’ve done a lot in boxing and am thankful for all it’s given me and taught me. I’ve been boxing almost 22 years and my body can’t take the same strain and pressure as it used to.

“I’ve been around the world and made many friends in boxing and other sports.

“I’d like to give thanks to everyone who sponsored me during my career and my management at MTK Global, all the coaches I worked with and especially my amateur coach and uncle Kenny Simmons and my final professional coach, Billy Nelson.

“I’d also like to thank my family, friends and fans who’ve given me such great support since I was a kid. I had 115 amateur fights and 21 as a pro. I’m retiring with a defeat to Matty but I’m still retiring a champion.

“I’ll be back in the sport in one way or another soon but for now it’s time to focus on my family and watch my son grow up first-hand rather than through videos and pictures.”