Malta boxing champion Iman Galea has returned the championship belt for the 78kg category he won in 1997 after no one challenged him for the title for the last eight years.

The decision to return the belt was taken by Galea and his trainer Jimmy Galea.

Iman Galea won the belt in the light heavyweight category in 1997 after defeating his adversary in two rounds.

Ever since, nobody has taken to the ropes and challenged Iman’s hold on the championship.

The exhibition fights included some high calibre fights like that against German Michael Lindow.

Iman Galea fought in the UK and also exchanged blows with English and Tunisian boxers in Malta. In the fight against the Tunisian, Iman even established a national record recognised by the Malta Boxing Federation, when he won the match by a technical knock-out after only one minute 40 seconds of the first round.

“I am very sorry that I have to give up my belt in this way, but I don’t feel I can hang on to something so prestigious in the Maltese boxing world without getting the opportunity to defend it,” Galea said.

He also expressed his hope that boxers in the 78kg category would come forward to fight for the title. “I would gladly honour the winner with this belt,” Galea said.

The boxer also thanked his trainers, especially his father, Bertu Camilleri and Anglu Gatt.