Boxing Has Given Me A Great Life

I am happy to walk away from being a fighter but I will never leave the sport that has treated me so well

THE DECISION to retire will always be a difficult one for boxers, but it’s made a little easier if you have perspective. Thankfully, I’ve always had perspective.

When I lost the British title, for example, I remember being distraught until I went home to my kids and missus. It’s then you realise life is about more than just boxing. It’s then you get perspective.

I’ve seen boxers in the past who have been obsessed with boxing and it has controlled their life. As a result, they didn’t really have much of a life when it was over. To replace the boxing buzz, they might have got into drugs. Later, they might have suffered from mental health issues.

Now that I’ve retired, I’m just happy it’s the little things – simple pleasures – that keep me happy. There’s nothing better than sitting on my couch watching TV with the kids running wild or going out to dinner with my missus. We’re all healthy, we’re all happy and I’ve got a great family around me.