Why Andrew Tate Should Retire From Boxing After His Brutal 2025 Loss to Chase DeMoor

By Muhammad Arslan Saleem January 09, 2026 05:44

In the neon-lit haze of Dubai's Duty Free Tennis Stadium on December 20, 2025, Andrew Tate stepped into the ring for what he billed as a triumphant return to combat sports. The self-proclaimed "Top G," a former kickboxing world champion who hadn't fought in over five years, challenged Misfits Boxing heavyweight titleholder Chase DeMoor in the main event of Misfits Mania: The Fight Before Christmas. What unfolded was less a coronation and more a stark reminder of time's unforgiving march.

Tate, now 39 (turning 40 shortly after), lost via majority decision after six grueling rounds. Judges scored it 58-56, 58-56 for DeMoor, with one 57-57 draw. DeMoor, a former college football player and reality TV star from Too Hot to Handle with seven bouts in 2025 alone, retained his belt in his third title defense of the year. Tate was bloodied, rocked multiple times, and visibly exhausted by the fifth round, where he appeared to be fighting on instinct to survive. "He was out on his feet," one ringside observer noted, capturing the lopsided nature of a bout widely panned as one of the lowest-skill displays in recent influencer boxing history.

The fight highlighted a harsh reality: Tate's kickboxing pedigree legitimate mid-level titles under ISKA and Enfusion doesn't seamlessly translate to pure boxing, especially after a decade-long layoff (his last kickboxing bout was years prior, with inactivity compounded by legal issues). DeMoor, despite his own novice status in traditional terms, leveraged experience (now 9-4-1 in influencer bouts), size, and a mauling style to control the clinch and land cleaner shots. Tate's defense leaning back with a high chin proved vulnerable, leading to repeated counters and a performance critics called "hilariously bad" and "embarrassing."

Post-fight, Tate showed class in defeat, giving DeMoor credit. "Chase was very tough... he deserves this win," he said in the ring. On social media, he reflected: "In my heart I knew I’m too old. I knew I’d been out too long. That’s why I had to do it. To face fear." He acknowledged the risk, contrasting his choice with a life of luxury: "99.9 per cent of 40 year old men with 700 million dollars sit around... I could have done the same and talked sh*t on the Internet and took no risks."

Yet, those words underscore why retirement now makes sense. At 39, with a five-year (or more) absence from the ring, Tate's body betrayed him against an opponent who, while far from elite, had active seasoning. The bout exposed gaps in his boxing fundamentals poor head movement, reliance on overhands, and fading stamina that kickboxing rules (where kicks score heavily) once masked. Reddit threads and boxing forums lit up with comments like "Might be one of the worse fights technically I’ve ever seen" and "Both guys fought like they were scrapping in a barrel of toffee," reflecting the consensus that Tate looked outclassed in pure pugilism.

The Misfits Boxing scene thrives on spectacle, not skill parity, and Tate's star power drove massive viewership and pay-per-view buzz. Reports suggest he earned a hefty purse (one claim: $20 million), proving the financial upside remains. But the damage to his carefully curated "alpha" image was real. Memes flooded social media, with fans mocking his "Marge Simpson chin" and flinching, turning the loss into a cultural punchline. DeMoor himself pushed back on "fraud check" narratives, praising Tate's heart: "I was very surprised with how well he handled the clinch... he earned his stripes."

Still, the evidence points to hanging up the gloves. Tate has flirted with a rematch "If the stars align, yeah I'm not saying I'll retire" and even dismissed Jake Paul matchups: "I'm not ready for Jake. Fighting is for young men." That rare self-awareness should guide him. At his age, another loss risks further erosion of the mystique he's built. His legacy as a controversial influencer and former kickboxer stands intact; returning for redemption could tarnish it further in a format where his skills don't align.

Boxing rewards youth, timing, and relentless preparation qualities diminished by years away. Tate proved he still has courage, stepping in despite the odds. But courage alone isn't enough. As one analyst put it post-fight: "He took the L in the most matured way... but there's a time and a place." For Andrew Tate, that time has come. Retire now, on his terms, before another brutal reminder forces the decision.