PADDY Fitzpatrick says that he will miss having Eamonn O’Kane in the gym.

With a third child on the way and a gruelling last fight – an IBF world title final eliminator against Tureano Johnson at Madison Square Garden – the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist has announced his time in the squared circle is over.

The 34-year-old middleweight had trained with Swindon trainer Fitzpatrick for his final three bouts, including an all-action stoppage win over Ferenc Hafner at the Oasis Leisure Centre, which saw seven knockdowns in four rounds.

However, with his career at an end, the Ferndale Road-based trainer admits that he’ll miss seeing former IBF inter-continental champion 'King Kane' around the gym.

“When we finished our conversation, Eamonn said to me ‘Can I still call you coach? I don’t feel right calling you Paddy.’,” Fitzpatrick told the Advertiser.

“He was great to have around the place. We had a number of arguments because all he wanted to do was train – I had to kick him out the gym.

“I’m gutted that he is retiring, but I’m happy for him. He is moving on to the next chapter. He has got another child on the way this summer.”

During his time in Swindon, O’Kane lived with Luke Watkins and the trainer believes that the man who had nearly 280 amateur contests, which included wins over George Groves and Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo, had such a positive effect on his unbeaten cruiserweight boxer.

“Duke is the consummate professional, but even he couldn’t believe the dedication of Eamonn,” Fitzpatrick said.

“Before Eamonn retired, there was talk about him fighting (Gary) Spike O’Sullivan.

“That would have been a great fight for Ireland. It would have got the winner back in the mix (at world level).

“Spike was interested. His trainer Packie (Pascal Collins) wanted it and Eddie Hearn wanted to put it on.

“Then Eamonn got injured in February and that is when we first talked about retirement.

“Then it looked like it wasn’t going to happen until at least September – Eamonn would have been out of the ring for almost a year then.

“That last fight against Tureano Johnson took so much out of him. He spoke with his family and retiring was a difficult decision for him to make.”