Anthony Dirrell Plans To Fight One More Time Before Retiring
Former world champion Anthony Dirrell has stated that 2018 will be his last year as a boxer, but still intends to fight for another world title.
After Dirrell’s wide unanimous decision win over Abraham Han on the April 28 PBC on FOX card at the Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas, Dirrell said he will be fighting one more time before hanging up his gloves for good.
“The champions at 168-pounds better look out,” Dirrell said after the fight. “It’s going to be my last fight but I’m hungry to win another title.”
Dirrell has fought in the pro ranks since 2005, winning every single fight for the first eight years of his career, earning him a shot at the WBC super middleweight title. His first attempt at championship gold was unsuccessful as his December 2013 fight against Sakio Bika ended in a split draw. The two had a rematch in 2014 when Dirrell captured the world title with a unanimous decision win. Dirrell lost the title in his first defense when he lost to Badou Jack by majority decision. Since then, Dirrell has won his last five fights.
In terms of his prospects of fighting for a world title next, it is a possibility. Dirrell is ranked No. 2 in the WBC super middleweight rankings where David Benavidez is the champion. Dirrell is also ranked No. 7 in the IBF rankings where James DeGale is the champion and Dirrell’s brother Andre is the current interim IBF champion. Anthony Dirrell is also ranked in the top 10 of Fightful’s super middleweight rankings.
