Former world title challenger John Ryder has announced his retirement from boxing after an impressive 14-year professional career and revealed he will soon take up a coaching role.

The 35-year-old Londoner, nicknamed the Gorilla, was stopped in the ninth round of his super-middleweight loss to Jaime Munguia last month, his seventh defeat to go with 32 victories.

Ryder went toe-to-toe with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez in May 2023, going the full 12 rounds before losing on the judges' scorecards.

Arguably the defining victory of his career came against Daniel Jacobs in February 2022, while he also defeated fellow Brit Zach Parker in November of that year at The O2 Arena.

The Islington-born fighter said on social media: "It is with a heavy heart that I have come to the decision to hang up my gloves and retire from professional boxing.

"I've been absolutely blessed to have the most amazing career over the past 14 years.

"Starting in Bethnal Green in 2010 and ending in Phoenix, Arizona. I've been lucky enough to box everywhere from The O2 Arena, T-Mobile in Vegas, Alexandra Palace, Manchester Arena to Guadalajara in Mexico. 

"For a boy from Islington, it's been some run. Although I didn't manage to win that world title, I've achieved and experienced more than I could ever have imagined when I first put on a pair of boxing gloves and I wouldn't change that for any belt.

"Finally, although my professional career as a boxer is now over, the sport won't be able to get rid of me that easily and I look forward to officially starting my new career as a coach.

"There's no place like home."

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn added on Instagram: "We started working with John Ryder 12 years ago. Things were very different then, we had a handful of fighters and no real plan. 

"Never had a contract, never had an argument but completed over 30 fights together around the world.

"The aim is always to leave the sport healthy, happy and financially secure. You did it Johnny boy!

"Good luck in your new career as a coach. I'm sure it will be full of success and more memories."