Duddy announces retirement from boxing

The 31-year-old middleweight was due to take on fellow Irishman, Andy Lee, in a $100,000 clash in the USA in March. It is understood that the winner of that bout would have been in line for a world title shot. However it appears Duddy has become totally disillusioned with the sport.

In an interview with BBC Sport Northern Ireland he said: "For more than 20 years I loved being a boxer, but I don't love it anymore. I used to love going to the gym-now its a chore. The fire has burned out and I know it will not return."

The fight between Duddy and Lee scheduled for March offered the Derry man a somewhat unexpected route back into the top flight of boxing after his defeat to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The victor would have been line for a tilt at WBC champion Sergio Martinez.

The news comes as it emerged that Co Londonderry fighter Paul McCloskey will not be meeting Amir Khan in Manchester in April.

McCloskey's promoter Barry Hearn said a possible fight between his man and WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan is off after failing to agree on the challenger's purse. The Dungiven man looked like getting a crack at Khan after Lamont Peterson withdrew, also claiming that Khan's camp was offering poor money.

Legendary promoter, Barry Hearn said the Bolton fighter's offer was "a joke" and that Khan would find it difficult to get an opponent for the money on offer.

One possibility, however, could be a rematch with the one man to stain Khan's career record - Bredis Prescott who has been quoted as saying he would not worry about his share of the purse in return for a chance to beat Khan again and claim his world title.