Linford calls it a day by Tom Podmore Oct 18th 2007

Hard-hitting Leicester light-heavyweight Neil Linford has decided to call a halt to his nine-year professional boxing career. The 30-year-old former British and Commonwealth title challenger has come to the decision he no longer has the hunger for the sport that he served so well for almost a decade. Neil had been pencilled in to fight in Leicester on December 10 (Johnny Griffin's show at the Ramada Hotel) but told the Leicester Mercury he could no longer dedicate himself. He can, however, look back on a fine career that saw him record a fantastic ten-round win over future British and WBU boss Matthew Barney in a British title eliminator and then push Brian Magee to the wire in a IBO Intercontinental title challenge two fights later. He also challenged David Starie for the British and Commonwealth titles in London, though couldn't match the power of the Essex fireman, a future world title challenger, and was halted in six. The Kevin Sanders-managed Leicester puncher did put then-unbeaten Tony Oakey, the current British boss at light-heavy, on the canvas in a grudge match for the WBU title in Portsmouth back in 2003, but lost unanimously. Injuries and the movement of the cruiserweight limit have restricted him to only a handful of outings since – the most recent being a four-round stoppage victory over Valery Odin at the Savoy in March of last year. The East Midlander never procured a belt during his career, coming up short on four occasions. He was given a golden opportunity against Radcliffe Green for the British Masters title at the Elephant and Castle in 2002 but could only muster a draw. But Linford, who concludes with a 16-8-1 (7) paid ledger, said: “I hope people will remember me as a good professional. “I didn't achieve as much as I would have liked and I don't think people ever really saw the best of me, but I never ducked an opponent and was never off my feet. I'm proud of that record. “I've given my future a lot of thought, but know there's no point carrying on if I can't dedicate myself properly,” he continued. “I didn't want to hang around too long and end up being a journeyman. “I've had a good career and I've enjoyed it, but it's time to move on.”

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