British former world champion Kal Yafai viciously knocked out in first round of comeback fight and retires immediately

Kal Yafai has retired from boxing after being knocked out in the first round by Jonathan Rodriguez on Saturday night in LA.

The former WBA super-flyweight world champion was having his second comeback bout after taking an extended break from boxing following his first career defeat in 2020.

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However, it did not go to plan.

Yafai was floored very early in the fight and never truly recovered.

The referee jumped in to end the contest in round one and Rodriguez celebrated emphatically.

The always classy Yafai immediately retired in his post-fight interview, revealing that he'd planned to do so regardless of the result.

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"This was the end before the fight anyway," The 34-year-old said.

"I had 'The Last Dance' on my robe and engraved in my shorts.

"I knew I was coming to the end anyway."

Yafai first became known as an Olympian representing Team GB at Beijing 2008.

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Although he was unable to win a medal at the Olympics, his performances were enough to see him signed by Eddie Hearn, who promoted him for his entire career.

In 2016, Yafai achieved his career goal by beating Luis Concepcion to win the WBA super-flyweight world title.

After five successful defences, he then got his dream fight against Nicaraguan legend Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez in February 2020.

Chocolatito rolled back the years and put on a magnificent performance that night, dominating Yafai before a ninth-round knockout.

It wasn't until November 2022 that Yafai returned to the ring.

Sadly, he simply didn't look the same as in his prime as a world champion and was knocked down early in his comeback fight against a journeyman, before ultimately winning on points.

A year later, his vulnerabilities have now been exposed again by Rodriguez and he has wisely decided to call time on his career as a result.