BBN Exclusive - End of the Road for Gammer by Oliver Fennell Sep 30th 2007

Former British heavyweight champion Scott Gammer has announced his retirement following Saturday's points defeat to John McDermott in Sheffield. A lethargic Gammer was outworked over 10 rounds, with McDermott picking up referee Victor Loughlin's 98-93 decision. It was an official eliminator for the domestic title. Gammer, from Pembroke Dock, made his surprise retirement announcement after the bout, and confirmed it the next day (Sunday, September 30). And while retirements are often declared as beaten boxers lick their wounds, only to be overturned soon afterwards, Gammer's manager, Paul Boyce, insists this one is for real. “This wasn't an emotional decision,” he said. “He just lost his desire, I think. “Scott's got a family and a [plastering and building] business that's doing well.” Boyce added: “I'm proud of what he's achieved as a person, not just as a boxer. He was terrible when he was younger, but he's settled now and sees a future for himself outside of boxing.” Nevertheless, Boyce was still “very disappointed” at how Saturday's fight unfolded. “Scott looked terrible,” he admitted. “McDermott beat him with a simple jab, nothing complicated. “Every time Scott came back to the corner, I told him: ‘Look, he's not better than you, come on.' But he just didn't respond. “Full credit to McDermott, but he's the kind of fighter Scott should beat in six or seven rounds. “I don't know what it was. Over the last six to eight months, I've seen things have been changing. “Even against Danny Williams, Scott did well but he didn't perform as he had done or as he could do.” The prize, if Gammer had beaten McDermott, was a rematch with Williams, a fighter he was holding his own with before the sudden ninth-round finish. It looked at worst like a learning experience for Gammer, who at 30 was the youngest of Britain's title-calibre heavyweights, and who gave a good account of himself against a man who had beaten Mike Tyson, Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton. But Boyce claimed: “He's been the champion and I think there was no ambition after that. “I was very disappointed, because Skelton had turned down the [mandated] Williams fight. “All Scott had to do was beat McDermott, and it was there for him [a British title shot].” But if the retirement sticks, Boyce has no regrets. “I've enjoyed it,” he said. “We're a small team and we out-bid the big promoters a couple of times. “Not many managers have a British heavyweight champion.” In fact, Gammer was the first Welshman in 23 years to hold this prize. David Pearce, back in 1983, was the last. Gammer stopped Mark Krence in nine rounds to lift the vacant belt in June 2006 and made one defence – a points win over Mickey Steeds – before the Williams setback. He bows out with a record of 18 wins (nine knockouts), against two defeats and a draw.

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