Former Sheffield United midfielder Curtis Woodhouse has announced his retirement from boxing after winning the British light-welterweight title.
The 33-year-old, who also featured for Birmingham City and Hull City among other clubs during his professional footballing career, defeated Darren Hamilton at the Hull Ice Arena on Saturday.
Woodhouse, who quit full-time football in 2006 to take up boxing, got the better of his opponent on a split decision after 12 rounds.
Two of the judges gave the Beverley-born fighter the verdict by margins of 116-115 and 116-114, while the other scored it 116-113 in favour of defending champion Hamilton.
"How can I ever top what has happened tonight, this will never get better for me," Woodhouse told Sky Sports News. "I wanted to bow out as champion and aim to stick to that.
"There's a rumour going around - that I can neither confirm nor deny - I had a £5,000 bet on myself to win the British title at 50-1. The drinks are on me baby!"
Woodhouse retires with a career record of 22 wins from 28 fights.
Subhankar Mondal
