LOCAL lightweight Dave Stewart has retired from boxing after a seven-year career with just two defeats – both memorable battles for the British lightweight title. Bethnal Green-based Stewart last month accepted an offer to fight superstar Amir Khan in a t

LOCAL lightweight Dave Stewart has retired from boxing after a seven-year career with just two defeats - both memorable battles for the British lightweight title.

Bethnal Green-based Stewart last month accepted an offer to fight superstar Amir Khan in a televised tussle at Manchester on September 6.

But the chance of a big-money bout against Bolton's Commonwealth champion disappeared when he was replaced on the card last week.

Khan rejected the meeting in favour of a fight against Colombia's Breidis Prescott, leaving Stewart - who has 22 wins in his 24 paid outings - to call time on his pro career.

The 6ft tall Stewart was a capable stylist and his toe-to-toe battles against British champions Jon Thaxton and Lee Meager - both York Hall classics - showed he had true warrior spirit.

The Scot will also be remembered as one of the sport's real gentlemen and goes with words of praise from his many friends in the sport, particularly pro trainer Tony Sims and Tony Burns, his amateur coach at Repton.

Stewart, who enjoys travelling the world and appeared in a tournament in China during his amateur days, now plans to make a return trip to South East Asia.

"My career was a great experience and I have no regrets," he said.