Zavec announced his retirement last November after he lost to Erislandy Lara of Cuba in the 3rd round of the match, in which the Slovenian looked to add the WBA and IBO super welterweight belts to his WBF super welterweight title.

That was his fourth professional loss in the 23-year career that saw 40 fights, with 35 of them ending in wins, including 19 knock-outs.

While he made the announcement via social media, his friend Tomaž Barada thought a champion like Zavec can not end career with a smart phone-made video.

Barda, Olympic Committee of Slovenia (OKS) vice-president, joined forces with local comedians to put on a spectacle mimicking a boxing match for a world champion title.

Round 13 turned out to be an emotional celebration of sport full of fun and laughter, but also tears. Joining the fans were several high-profile guests, such as President Borut Pahor, OKS president Bogdan Gabrovec and OKS honorary president Miro Cerar.

Pahor gave Zavec a Slovenian flag made of silk to thank him for all he did for Slovenian sport, up-and-coming athletes and the country, while the OKS honoured him with an honorary mention.

Zavec thanked all who came to the show. "It is a great honour and I would have never thought the president of Slovenian himself would come to bid me farewell."

He urged positive thinking, something that has accompanied him throughout his career and has earned him the nickname Mr Sympathicus.

His story of a child forced to leave his family due to domestic abuse and making it in sports is an inspiration to many.

In 2010, poet and sports enthusiast Esad Babačić wrote Zavec's authorised biography "Trdobojec", which depicts the boxer's long and hard road to glory.

However, Zavec came in touch with boxing when he was 16 by chance.

Trying to get warm after having waited for a bus when a football training session was cancelled, he entered a gym where he was spotted by his first coach Ivan Pučko.

Pučko invited him to training, and ever since Zavec was in the gym every day.

Last evening Pučko told an anecdote accounting how he and Zavec went to the European Championships in Athens soon after Slovenia's independence.

Since Zavec knocked out his first opponent with ease, Pučko though they should take a flag and anthem with them.

Having practically no money, they stole a flag flying in the street, and as for the anthem, Pučko had a cassette by a Croatian singer on him, alleging nobody would know what the Slovenian anthem was like.

Last night's event was also a fund-raiser, with over 8,000 euros collected from tickets and donation for the OKS's foundation for underprivileged athletes.