Former WBA Welterweight Champion Luis Collazo has retired from professional boxing. The 41-year-old fighter suffered a sixth-round knockout loss against Angel Ruiz in his final bout.
“For boxing, I’m done,” Collazo told Mike Coppinger of ESPN.
“This is the end for me now. Ruiz did what he had to do and came out with the victory. I give them credit and wish him nothing but the best. Now, I will get to spend more time with my family and with the grandchildren.”
Collazo finishes his professional campaign with a record of 39-9 with 20 knockouts. Along his professional journey, he fought the likes of Keith Thurman, Shane Mosley, Victor Ortiz, Andre Berto and Amir Khan. In 2005, he secured the biggest victory of his career. He beat José Antonio Rivera by split decision to claim the WBA “Regular” Welterweight Championship. Shortly thereafter, he stopped Miguel Ángel González in the seventh round during his first title defense. However, Ricky Hatton beat Collazo by controversial decision one year after winning the belt. Afterward, he earned three more shots at the title, but lost all three fights.
The New York native retires alongside Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe and Zab Judah as one of the many world champions that Brooklyn has produced.
