Enzo Maccarinelli has retired from boxing after suffering a brutal first-round defeat to Ukrainian Dmytro Kucher on Friday night.

Swansea’s former WBO world champion was stopped in the opening round by Kucher in their EBU European cruiserweight title clash at London’s York Hall.

Maccarinelli had been hoping to get back in the world title mix but a strong left wobbled the 35-year-old before further lefts and rights sent him crashing to the canvas.

Trainer Garry Lockett prepared to throw in the towel as Maccarinelli struggled to make it to his feet, but Italian referee Giuseppe Quartarone called a halt after two minutes and 48 seconds.

Maccarinelli, who lost his cruiserweight crown to David Haye in his fourth defence in 2008, brings the curtain down on a 17-year career in which he secured 41 victories in 49 fights and suffered eight defeats, all by stoppage.

“Sorry guys – felt OK in there then got tagged. Bbsolutely devastated I had to end my career like that,” Maccarinelli posted on his Twitter account.

The “Bonymaen Banger” is just one of four Welshmen to win British, Commonwealth, European and world titles.