Liam Smith hints at retirement with British star 'unsure he will fight again'

Former super-welterweight champion of the world Liam Smith has revealed he is contemplating retirement on the back of successive defeats at the hands of Chris Eubank Jr and Aaron McKenna.

The tenacious Liverpudlian has smashed through the glass ceiling throughout an illustrious 17-year-long career in the sport, winning British, Commonwealth and, even more coveted, world titles as a 154lbs campaigner.

However, he appears to have fallen short in his quest to become a two-weight world champion, with the manner of his loss to McKenna at middleweight last time out seemingly suggesting the 36-year-old's best days are firmly behind him.

That comprehensive loss at the hands of the talented Irish star came 19 months on from his previous venture inside the ropes, where he was heavily beaten by Chris Eubank Jr - the same man Smith had put to the sword just eight months prior.

Whilst 'Beefy' admits that he could have still yet have his head turned by a potentially lucrative final boxing curtain call, he certainly appears to be gearing up towards calling time on his career.

"I don't know what will happen yet, I've had a nice little holiday with my little girls and put a couple of gym sessions in, and that's it really," he told iFL TV.

"I'm going to keep myself fit, which I do regardless anyway, and see what's what - I won't make any rash decisions in the next couple of weeks.

In the next month or two if I get a phone call and it's something that pricks my ears up then I will take it, but if not then I'll probably be done.

- Liam Smith (iFL TV)

"I was out of the ring for a long time before my last fight and I just feel that it killed me really - I couldn't get going at all and the fight just ran away from me.

"Whether that was because I am done or whether it was down to the fact that I had been out of the ring for 19 months I'm not sure, so I don't know.

"As of right now, I'm unsure as to whether I will fight again."

Whilst the Matchroom star is undoubtedly still hoping for a more fitting boxing farewell - ideally in front of his home fans in Liverpool - he says he will hold absolutely no regrets if his loss to McKenna back in March ultimately proves to be his final curtain call.

"Of course I'd want that, but look, I'm straight and I'm not going to beat around the bush, if that's how it ends, then that's how it ends," he answered.

"I can look back on my career and be extremely happy with what I have achieved in boxing - I've said it before but I wanted to be a footballer when I was younger so was kind of maneuvered into the sport.

"I wish I could say that I had dreamt of becoming a world champion from a young age but I hadn't, so I could retire tomorrow and be a happy man.

"Never say never, but if I am done, I'm done and if not, I will maybe have one more and see where I am at."

Mark Mothershaw

• Matchroom
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