Humberto Savigne Announces Retirement After KO Loss
Posted by: Jake Donovan on 11/14/2015 .
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By Jake Donovan
Chances are that a win would've only extended his career another couple of fights, but Humberto Savigne knew heading into his showdown with Thomas Williams that the end was near.
It's been a short career for the 36-year old light heavyweight based out of South Florida, one that followed a lengthy amateur career in Cuba followed by a near 10-year break from boxing before resurfacing in 2009.
For the moment, it appears to have ended on the heels of his 2nd round knockout loss to Williams, which aired Friday evening live on a wild night of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike TV from Biloxi, Mississippi. Both fighters traded opening round knockdowns before Williams closed the show in round two.
Savigne has now suffered back-to-back 2nd round knockout losses, this coming nine months after being shocked by unbeaten but unheralded Craig Baker in February.
"I think it's just time to just stay home, enjoy my family and figure out what's next," Savigne (12-3, 9KOs) told BoxingScene.com after the fight.
The decision was well supported - if not encouraged - by his team.
"I'm always here to support Humberto in anything he does, in and out of the ring," manager Henry Rivalta stated. "He's had an incredible journey - from escaping Cuba and making a better life for his family in the United States, to always giving it his all in training camp and every fight.
"He's 36 years old - he hasn't had a lot of fights, but you can't ignore your internal clock. I consider Humberto a close, personal friend and will always be here for him."
All three career losses have come by knockout, the latest adventure preceded by his considerable struggles to make the contracted 175 lb. limit. Savigne was nearly an hour late to Thursday's weigh-in, coming in 0.8 heavy and - after an hour of attempting to shed the overage - having to strip down to his birthday suit to finally come within weight.
The ill effects of his weight drain - and then the bloated replenishment in the 30 hours from weigh-in to opening bell - showed in his performance, not a good combination against a young lion like Williams. He still gave it his best shot, climbing off the canvas to drop the D.C.-based light heavyweight (although replays showed the sequence was aided by his stepping on Williams' foot) and hurting him again at the end of the wild opening round.
It was his last great moment in the spotlight as he was dropped and battered into submission one round later, running on fumes and in no condition to continue.
"I've been 175 lbs. since the amateurs, more than half of my life at this weight," notes Savigne. "My body just couldn't take it anymore, so I think it's the time to walk away."
