By Elisinio Castillo

Former welterweight and junior middleweight champion, Ricardo 'El Matador' Mayorga, 44 years old, has finally decided to call it a day for his professional career.

Mayorga was last seen in the ring last November, when he traveled over to Russia and was stopped after nine rounds in a super middleweight contest with undefeated prospect Andrey Sirotkin (14-0).

Originally Mayorga had planned to continue fighting, but he's had a change of heart on the matter.

Mayorga burst on the scene in 2002, when he knocked out Andrew 'Six Heads' Lewis to capture the WBA welterweight title.

He made a big statement the following year, by beating the late Vernon Forrest in back to back fights to also capture the WBC welterweight title.

But he lost both belts to Cory Spinks in an IBF, WBA, WBC unification bout in December of 2013.

He captured the vacant WBC junior middleweight title in 2005 with a decision win over Michele Piccirillo, but lost the title the following year to Oscar De La Hoya.

Mayorga also had memorable bouts with Felix Trinidad, Fernando Vargas, Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto.

"When I was a kid, I promised my mother that I would become the boxing world champion," Mayorga said during an emotional interview on Nicaraguan television.

"I had 112 amateur fights, 107 I won and 5 I lost by decision, then I crossed to the professional ranks. When I had about 27 professional fights I jumped to the big stage.

"I think that the sport is for young people and I think I'm already at the point [where I'm not young anymore]. I think it's time to hang up the gloves and say goodbye to boxing. I'm very grateful to God because I've received a lot of applause [from the people], I've received awards, medals, scrolls, trophies and many titles... I have them all in an exhibition in my house."

Mayorga leaves the ring with a record of 32 wins, 10 defeats, 1 draw and 26 wins by way of knockout.