By Anthony “Zute” George – Tony ‘Lightning’ Luis officially retired in 2022. He left this gruelling sport with a record of 29-6, 10 KOs. But he was so much more than that. At his best, he was a handful for anyone at 135 pounds. Three straight losses were not what Tony had in mind to finish his career, but it was after that last loss to Steve Claggett that was enough for Tony to realize it was time to hang ‘em up. Tony stopped by Zutes Boxing Talk to discuss his decision.

“I reached the point of my career where I know I’ve slowed down just enough…I don’t want to allow myself to reach the point where I become a steppingstone with guys that I know wouldn’t carry my jockstrap a few years ago,” Tony explained.

Tony explained that he thought about retiring in the Summer of 2020. He was 32 years old. However, an opportunity to tangle with Arnold Barboza Jr. surfaced, which was far too enticing to pass up. Luis explained that his mindset for that fight was win or go home. 

In training for that fight, Tony tore his rib just weeks before the battle. The injury forced Tony to scrap, hitting the heavy bag and sparring during the final weeks of training. Not the best situation when preparing for an elite fighter like Barboza Jr.

While confident he was well enough to compete at the sound of the bell, reality soon came crashing down on Tony when he threw a hook and just missed his target. “…I overextended the same way I did in training, and it (the rib injury) was back all over again.”

Barboza dominated a less than 50% Tony Luis. This did not sit well with Tony. “I can’t go out like that because there are too many what-ifs there.”

Tony went on to face the young upstart, John Bauza. He performed well in that fight and gave Bauza all he could handle. Yet, for some strange reason, the three paid officials took the night off. All three scorecards favored Bauza 80-72, 79-73, and 78-74. Disgusting. Tony deserved much better than that on the scorecards. The same way he did against Ivan Redkach and Derry Matthews. So goes the sport they call the sweet science.

Once again, Tony did not want his career to end on such a sour note. 

Up next, Steve Claggett. Tony was stopped in the seventh round of that fight. Tony soon realized Claggett was “hungrier than me. He still wanted to be in the gym. I was doing it, but I didn’t want to do it as much as he wanted to.” 

You would be hard-pressed to find words that justified a time to go more than those. 

Tony is now a color analyst for DAZN. 

Tony ‘Lightning’ Luis is why I love boxing and will never give up on this sport despite all its flaws. His wars in Cornwall are what boxing is all about. It is what makes boxing unique.I was proud to have watched him fight and lucky enough to have interviewed him on several occasions.  

Thanks for the memories. 

Now, we get to have a taste of some boxing knowledge from one of the proudest warriors the sport has ever produced on DAZN.

Lucky us.

Stay tuned…

To hear the entire interview with Tony Luis, click here:

Twitter @zutesboxingtalk

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