PARIS, Oct 19: France's WBA light-heavyweight champion Fabrice Tiozzo has decided to retire from the ring, claiming he was frustrated by the lack of high-profile fights he was being offered.

The 37-year-old ends his career with 48 wins (32 KOs) from 50 bouts, with his only two defeats coming in world title contests against American Virgil Hill.

“I'm retiring,” Tiozzo told French sports daily L'Equipe in an interview on Thursday. “At my age and with my record, I need real challenges and I realise I will not be offered any.”

Tiozzo was hoping to meet Hill again and dreaming of a fight against the other big name in French boxing, cruiserweight Jean-Marc Mormeck.

However, he said he decided to quit because he was not sure either of those bouts would take place.—Reuters