Photo by: Naoki Fukuda

After rumors he may box again, Marcos Maidana announced his retirement on social media on Tuesday, saying he had a “tough” career and no longer has the “fire inside” to continue.

A two-division champion, Maidana will likely be remembered for his brawls with Victor Ortiz, Amir Khan, Adrien Broner and his two fights with Floyd Mayweather Jr., both competitive losses that punctuated the end of his career. Maidana, 33, last fought on Sept. 13, 2014 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in Mayweather’s prelude to facing Manny Pacquiao the following May. While his style may have been a bit crude, Maidana was a willing warrior, rarely taking a step back and rarely getting out-worked.

“After a long time out of the ring and after giving it a lot of thinking since my last fight, I’ve decided to hang up the gloves for good,” he wrote. “Probably my decision would not surprise much as I had given hints of it in the last few months. But at this time I am making it official.”

Maidana (35-5, 31 knockouts) had given subtle hints he may return to boxing. He was ringside for his younger brother’s bout recently and had spoken of possibly returning to Robert Garcia’s gym in Oxnard, California to lose some weight. But Maidana, who turned pro in 1996, obviously reconsidered.

“I had a tough career and I fulfilled many of my dreams,” he said. “I am a very happy man with my family and friends by my side these days. Today I do not feel motivated enough, do not have the fire inside me to intend to climb those mountains again. That is why I announce my retirement.”

Maidana intends to stay close to the sport, “advising and unconditionally supporting ‘Team Maidana,’ aiming for new generations to reach to the highest levels,” he wrote. “My goal now is to pass the baton over to them now.”