Josh Warrington reveals why boxing retirement plans have been shelved

Josh Warrington has revealed the reasons behind his decision to shelve his retirement plans as he bids to make a winning return to professional boxing against India's Asad Asif Khan in Sheffield on Saturday night.

The two-time featherweight champion of the world appeared to have bid farewell to the sport in the immediate aftermath of his defeat to Anthony Cacace at Wembley Stadium last September.

The Leeds man, who was comprehensively beaten by the naturally bigger super-featherweight title-holder, laid down his gloves on the canvas before making his way out of the ring, suggesting he had drawn the curtain of his illustrious professional career.

However, no official confirmation followed from either Matchroom (his promotional company) or his management team, much to the frustration of Warrington, himself.

"I wanted to put something official out about retirement immediately," he told Ring Magazine ahead of this weekend's showdown in the Steel City.

"I actually had a bit of an argument with my media manager (James Marshall) about it because I just wanted to get it out, a video or a statement, but he just said to relax and think about it.

"Listen, I had like two weeks of moping about, feeling sorry for myself and so I needed to let out some frustration. I went back to the gym and felt like everything was still there - the fitness, the timing, the sharpness, a little bit of sparring, a little bit of pads.

I thought to myself ‘f***king hell! There’s loads left here’. Why didn’t it happen on the night against (Anthony) Cacace?

"So then I started to delve a bit deeper to try and work out what went wrong and all of a sudden you come to the conclusion that it’s still there physically and mentally, it just needs adjusting in a few places and that’s it."

Understandably, Warrington's somewhat instinctive retirement decision came on the back of a third successive loss, having previously been beaten by Luis Alberto Lopez and Leigh Wood prior to his lopsided reverse at the hands of Northern Irishman Cacace.

Whilst the proud Yorkshireman is now gearing up for what he hopes can be another pivotal chapter of his career, he knows it comes with a crucial caveat - overcoming Indian contender Asif Khan on Saturday night.

"First of all, I just want to return, get the arm raised and dust some cobwebs off, and then, everything crossed, I want to be busy - I’d like to think I could get another two fights this year," the 34-year-old added.

I know I haven’t got a belt at the moment but I’ve got a big fanbase behind me and, nine times out of ten, I’m in an entertaining fight - although it was a little bit of a stinker at Wembley.

"But I’m a two-time world champion with a great resume so I don’t see why I can’t walk into some big fights or at least keep active and busy."

Those big names, inevitably, include former WBC featherweight world champion Wood former IBF super-featherweight title-holder Cacace - two opponents Warrington holds a desire to avenge his previous defeats to.

"I’d love to put the Leigh Wood one to bed and then to get the Cacace one after that would be even better. I’m disappointed that we could never get the Wood rematch over the line in the first place.

"Mick Conlan is another one where our names have always been mentioned over the years but just hasn’t come to light. He has been in some entertaining fight and people just want to be entertained don’t they?”

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