By Ruslan Chikov and Vladimir Begun Jr., Allboxing.ru

Former junior middleweight champion Roman Karmazin (40-5-2, 26KOs) is walking away from the ring with his head held high. Karmazin was already looking to retire earlier this year, but he returned last Friday in Chicago to take part in an IBF middleweight elminator and saw himself get knocked out in the ninth round by Osumanu Adama.

"This was an important decision for me [to fight Adama], and I do not regret it. I could not do what was necessary. My reflexes were not the same. I saw everything, but I couldn't hit him. A couple of years ago I would have stopped an opponent like this in three rounds, but time can not be stopped. My hands and my body can not keep up with the head and the eyes."

"Yes, I lost, but I do not regret that I ventured out for this fight. There are moments in life when it is best to take the risk than not take it at all and then you are left wondering for the rest of your life 'what if' or "maybe I should have did it.' I tried my best. Now everything is clear. Now I'm just going to be a trainer. My time as a fighter has passed," Karmazin said.