Frank Buglioni retires from boxing aged 29
The 'Wise Guy' calls time on an exciting seven-year career
It comes after suffering a second stoppage defeat this year. The North Londoner was stopped in the fifth round against southpaw Fanlong Meng in Monaco just days ago.
The ‘Wise Guy’ released the following statement on social media on November 26:
“After thoughtful deliberation; I have decided to hang up the gloves. I am proud of all my achievements in boxing and I will be forever grateful of the life lessons and positive effects it has given me.
I have loved the journey and it has certainly made me the man I am today. I will now focus on a different side of life, I will put my health, my girlfriend and my family first.
Thank you to my dad & brother who stood by me throughout and to all my magnificent support who have taken this journey with me. Don Charles, you made me fall back in love with the sport, I enjoyed every training session with you! Eddie Hearn, yourself & Matchroom have been a pleasure to work with. Steve Goodwin, thank you for your honesty and care throughout. My heart remains in the squared circle. – The Wise Guy.”
Buglioni debuted in November 2011 and raced to10-0 with seven knockouts within his first year. In November 2013, he won his first title in the form of the WBO European super-middleweight belt, which he defended twice. The second defence against dangerman Siarhei Khamitski resulted in his first ever professional defeat, but he bounced back quickly to win the coveted Southern Area strap just three months later. He then reclaimed his WBO European strap from unbeaten Midlander Andrew Robinson in November 2014, which, again, he defended twice, the second defence ending in a draw with Essex scrapper Lee Markham.
He beat Hosea Burton in December 2016 to win the British title went on to successfully defend the crown against two undefeated fighters in Ricky Summers and Craig Richards before losing it to Johnson.
Buglioni also challenged for the WBA super-middleweight title in September 2015 when he lost on points against Fedor Chudinov at Wembley Arena. Six of his last eight opponents faced had unbeaten records, combined to equal 83-0.
The Enfield resident retires from an exciting and glittering boxing career as a former British champion and World title contender with a record of 22-4-1.