Quit while you are ahead. Those words can mean a lot whether you tell someone that or they tell you that. Boxing fans want to see their favorite fighters continue on so that they can no longer fight anymore. If boxing is a beautiful but brutal sport then the fans are savages with a lust for blood. Fans take no damage and are quick to criticise fighters when they decide to call it a career. On the other side, some fighters fight past when they should no longer be in the ring which shows the gentler caring side of boxing fans. There is no middle.

Former two-division world champion Rafael Marquez has decided to put a stop to his hall of fame worthy career at the age of 38. Marquez was a tremendous warrior in the ring but that time has come and gone for the old rooster. He has lost 4 of his last 6 fights with the latest being against Efrain Esquivas via 9th round TKO. Marquez has put his body through a ton of punishment after going to war on so many occasions and after seeing his last fight you could tell it was well past his time to hang up the gloves.

“It’s time to put a stop and look back at my career with my family,” said Marquez. “It’s time to accept that there are no more reasons to continue boxing. I realize that I’ve been in hard fights and it’s better to consciously make that decision with my family. It is time to say goodbye. Boxing has given me the best for my family.”