JOHN Wayne Hibbert has called time on his boxing career after a thrilling fight ended in defeat in an IBF International Super-Lightweight championship bout with Martin Gethin.

At Wembley Arena, a superb combination saw Hibbert, 31, floored just as he looked to be picking up the pace.

Hibbert had labelled the clash “must-win” following his defeat to Andrea Scarpa in June and he took to Twitter after the fight to seemingly announce his retirement.

He said: "I just wanna say I'm truly gutted. But it is time to call it a day. I wanna thank all my team and sponsors. But it's time."

The Horndon-on-the-Hill man had been thrown a curve ball when original opponent Tommy Coyle withdrew a week before the fight, but Gethin, 33, proved a worthy opponent.

In the Super-Lightweight bout, Hibbert started aggressively and landed several powerful punches before Gethin unloaded a vicious left hand that appeared to break Hibbert's nose in just the first round.

Gethin, who had fought just seven days ago, was buoyed by the hit with the blood flowing down the face of Hibbert as the left hook of the Walsall man continued to prove a potent weapon.

With the fight seemingly heading for a swift resolution,Hibbert showed all his fighting spirit to shade the third round.

But, as he picked up the pace in the fourth, a wonderful combination ended the fight in the most brutal fashion.

As both fighters exchanged blows, Gethin’s right hand connected with the side of Hibbert’s head, leaving him swaying on the spot.

Sensing victory, a one-two from Gethin knocked the Essex man to the floor with the referee waving off the fight as he hit the canvas.