Professional boxer Marie-Ève Dicaire announced her retirement in a letter published Wednesday afternoon, an hour before a press conference was held to confirm everything.
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The 36-year-old athlete therefore used International Women’s Day to reveal his intentions. Two-time IBF Light Middleweight World Champion Dicaire (18-2-0, 1 KO) was defeated by unanimous decision by British Natasha Jonas in her last match on November 12 in Manchester in a unification bout for the IBF, WBC and WBO Belt.
“I’ve been doing martial arts for 30 years and I’m healthy. Yes, with a little wear and tear, but nothing prevents me from enjoying the next chapter of my life to the fullest and pursuing my dreams and developing myself in the field of communication,” she specified.
“I took a lot of time, both alone and in the team, to think about continuing my career. After many discussions with my “boys”, my decision was made when Samuel Décarie, one of my trainers, told me: “It is much more than a pair of boxing gloves that unites us”. For my team and I, retiring at the top is one of the greatest victories,” she also said in a statement.
Besides, the script was already written in his head.
“It was important for me to put on one last fight, boxing in Europe and trying to unify belts. I was willing to put my life on hold for this final challenge against Natasha Jonas. […] I didn’t want to regret anything. My decision was already made before the flight to England. I knew it would be my last fight no matter what. And I knew that was my last camp with my team. […] That we will face the rest of the world for the last time,” she also wrote on Radio-Canada’s page.
The big moments
The boxer from Saint-Eustache began her professional boxing career by defeating Christina Barry twice in a row in November 2015 and January 2016. She became world champion thanks to a unanimous decision win over Uruguayan Chris Namus on December 1, 2018.
After three successful defenses, the Quebecer tried to get her hands on the other crowns in the category, but Claressa Shields stood in her way on March 5, 2021. A setback by decision resulted in her losing her IBF belt, but she won again by knockout. Technique against Cynthia Lozano on December 17 of the same year.