Nichols Retires from Professional Boxing

Former Canadian Cruiserweight Champion announces his retirement.

“I am announcing my retirement as a professional boxer,” Rob Nichols announced via his Facebook page on Monday that he is retiring from boxing. “I set out to win a Canadian title and I am very happy about accomplishing that goal.” Nichols says he is happy with his career as a pro boxer and ready to focus on his family and business, CORE Fitness.

“I’ve taken enough time to reflect on things to finally speak my mind. I didn’t win my fight and I want to praise to Ryan Ford who did a great job as my opponent. It was evident to myself and my coach during the fight that being a part time boxer will never match up to the full time fighter.” Nichols explains he just doesn’t have the funds or time necessary to commit to the sport full-time, “trying to work and put in the necessary time the gym, and to get quality support to be at a high level of competition, requires not only more dedication than I currently can give, but more financial backing than I am able to get.” 

My identity has for a long time ben associated to boxing, but like anything in life… change comes to us all. – Rob Nichols former Canadian Cruiserweight Champion

“I would never have gotten to where I am now without the support and guidance of my coach Sterling Craig. We started on this venture together back in 2008, and we made a pact that we would end it together as well. I thank Jane Chevalier and Luke Logan for also having worked my corner, I’ve appreciated their help every time we’ve been in the ring. To Brad Foster and the people at KP gym, you’ve all treated me extremely well and I’m very grateful for the support I’ve been given over the time that I have trained there.”

For the majority of his career Nichols was a self-funded fighter, “everything I have done up to this point has been with the support of my family and my friends and I am glad to have made it this far, but this is as far as it is going to go.” Nichols goes on to thank his former promotion/management team at Dekada, “I will give thanks to Dekada for the opportunity to fight for the Canadian Cruiserwieght, and Mel Lubovac at KO boxing for having me on their show several times over the years.”

“It was not the ending I was hoping for, but it was good to be able to finish my boxing career in Edmonton back where it all started.” Nichols says he has many people to thank for his success as a pro boxer, “thanks to all the many people that trained and sparred with, to all the gyms I went to, and to all the people I’ve met with and spent time with during my run as a professional boxer.”