Avril Mathie, the Australian boxer who gained prominence in the sport, has officially retired after thirteen years. She shared the news through an emotional Instagram post, framing her departure as a heartfelt `love letter` to boxing.
Mathie concludes her career with a professional record comprising eight wins, one loss, and one draw.
She was notably scheduled to fight Ebanie Bridges in 2023 in a highly anticipated bout that was sensationally dubbed “the battle of the boobs.” However, Mathie had to withdraw from the fight due to an injury and has since undergone surgery to remove her breast implants.
Taking to Instagram to announce the end of her boxing journey, Mathie wrote:
“To the love of my life. Sadly, after 13 years, I must say goodbye. My heart is broken walking away from you, I still have so much love for you, some may call it addiction in fact. I had so many dreams for our future, but my body can’t take your abuse anymore.”
She reflected on the positive aspects of her career, stating:
“You gave me the highest of highs. We travelled the world and achieved things most only dream of.”
However, recurring injuries ultimately led to her decision:
“But a year and a half ago, you hurt me so badly. And while I missed you during that time apart healing, I also had the best year of my life. It opened my eyes to what else is waiting for me beyond you. Still, I tried to come back to you again and again this past 6 months, but you just keep hurting me.”
Mathie expressed her weariness with the situation:
“Where I had once believed we’d always work it out, slowly I just became tired of the pain, bored of being your sideline girl and am craving to be again in something like that we once had when I felt like I was growing unstoppably.”
Consultations with friends helped solidify her decision, leading her to understand that boxing could no longer meet her needs. She gained a new perspective on her own strengths:
“I’ve realised it’s me who’s the fun and inspiring one, it’s not even about you and that will translate into all my future relationships.”
Looking ahead, Mathie feels optimistic about new ventures:
“And there’s so many other I’ve been flirting with that you don’t even know about yet. So I know I’m going to be just fine. Better in fact. And I know you’ll miss me, but don’t worry, I’ll find a way to stay connected to you.”
She concluded her message to the sport with gratitude:
“Thanks for everything, boxing, I’ll be forever grateful we crossed path.”
Ebanie Bridges, the former bantamweight champion she was slated to fight, commented on the post, saying: “You’ll always be the one that got away to me.” Bridges also offered words of encouragement, adding: “I love this letter. You are amazing in and out of the ring. Onto the next chapter / new love. which I have no doubt you will succeed in.”
Mathie, a former OnlyFans creator and model, elaborated on her retirement reasons on her YouTube channel, primarily citing undisclosed injuries. Her career was previously impacted by a severe leg injury sustained in a motorbike accident in 2023, which was described as causing bone exposure.
