Maloney christened 'The Metal Midget' by fellow promoter Don King came to mainstream prominence in the 1990s as manager of Britain's first world heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis.

Maloney has decided to retire from the sport, after his last big hope of another world heavyweight champion, David Price, was beaten for the second time in five months by Tony Thompson.

He said:"For the last year I have gradually fallen out of love with boxing and my passion has been missing.

"I did much soul searching over the summer and my heart is no longer in the sport that I loved so much.

"If I continued as his promoter it would be unfair as I cannot give the commitment and love for the sport that is needed to get his career back on track.

Maloney has produced several world champions during his career besides Lewis. Scott Harrison, Paul Ingle were handled by Maloney who also promoted David Haye when he became world cruiserweight champion.

The South Londoner also managed and promoted dozens of British, Commonwealth, European and International champions.

He added: "Although I loved the Lennox years the heavyweights I loved being around were characters like Julius Francis and the late James Oyebola.

"I treated all my boxers equal in business but there were some I had a bond with like Julius and James.

"Men like Graham Earl, Rendall Munroe, Ian Napa, Martin Power Patrick Mullings, PJ Gallagher, Danny Hunt and Kevin Lear gave me some of my favourite nights and were fellas I bonded with.

"When I reflect back I honestly believe I started falling out of love with boxing when Paul Ingle suffered his accident in 2000.

"Throughout my career in boxing I have had a love-hate relationship with Frank Warren but I have nothing but respect for him and I leave this sport as a friend. I wish Frank and BoxNation ever success.

"Without BoxNation the sport could be in serious trouble."