'Now's the time' ... boxer Lee Appleyard retires as newly-crowned champion

Lee Appleyard with trainer Ray Doyle. Photo by Steel Stream Design.

The Rotherham fighter beat Dan Booth on points at the Doncaster Dome on Saturday to win the Central Area super lightweight title, adding to the English title he won as a lightweight five years ago.

Speaking to the Advertiser last week, Appleyard had said he would retire if he failed to beat Manchester's Booth, but has decided to make the move now.

He said: "It's been some ride but everything has to come to an end.

"Before the fight it wasn't the desire (to retire) but afterwards I just thought 'now's the time'. It was a cracking night and the atmosphere was unbelievable. I'm 35. I don't want to just keep going and keep going. It's a hard game.

"I'm finishing on a high as a two-weight champion."

Appleyard, from Bramley, made his debut back in 2014 and had 28 pro fights, winning 19 of them and losing seven.

His promoter, Stefy Bull, was among many who paid tribute on social media.

He said: "Small hall boxing isn't easy and I don't have a big team.

"I do every job single-handedly but tonight was about Lee Appleyard becoming a two-weight champion in front of a sold-old venue with over 1,000 in attendance and then announcing his retirement.

"Dream ending."