Billy Dib has announced his boxing retirement after a unanimous points loss to Amercian Tevin Farmer for the IBF super featherweight title in Sydney on Friday night.
Farmer repelled Dib's best efforts in a 12-round war to claim a maiden world title in his first professional bout outside of the United States - .
Dib, coached by three-time world champion Jeff Fenech, hung tough in a fight full of early wrestling that slowly turned in Farmer's favour.
The bell saved the 32-year-old when he was floored by a left hook in round nine and Dib couldn't find the knock-out blow needed in the final three rounds to steal the win in what would be his boxing farewell.
Dib thanked his brother Emaid and, choking back tears, said he hoped his career (43-5 and two world titles) showed if you "just keep working hard and dreams come true".
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"This is officially the last time I'll step into this great circle," he said.
"You're (Farmer) a great champion, I know you're going to be a champion for a very, very long time."
Southpaw Farmer was made to wait for the crown after his controversial loss to Japan's Kenichi Ogawa in December was ruled a no-contest when the victor failed a drug test.
The 28-year-old, who suffered a gun shot wound to his right hand barely a year ago, moved to 26-4-1 and remains unbeaten in almost six years and 19 fights since dropping four and drawing one of his first 12 bouts.
"Billy Dib's a hell of a fighter, he had a hell of a career ... two-time world champion," Farmer said.
"He definitely tried to bully me. If I didn't come from Philadelphia I think you would've got over me, but we come ready.
"It was a long time to get here but baby it's a long time to go."
Earlier Brock Jarvis, 20, was far too strong for Yotchanchai Yakaeo in a first-round stoppage.
Bantamweight Jarvis, also coached by Fenech, improved to 14-0 with 13 knock-out victories as he targeted the body of his shorter Thai opponent.
Tim Tszyu, son of Australian multiple world champion Kostya, had it even easier against Stevie Ongen Ferdinandus.
Tszyu, who moved to 10-0, was almost blushing when his barely-glancing blow was enough to keep his opponent down for the count in an anti-climactic first-round victory.
