SHAYNE Singleton admitted his decision to retire from boxing had been a 'sickening' one to take, but the Colne fighter said he had fallen out of love with the sport.

The 28-year-old has hung up his gloves after a career that saw him win six titles over a 27 fight career.

But the former English Super Lightweight champion was disgruntled at the way his last fight panned out, when he was beaten by Peter McDonagh after the Irishman threw a punch during a weigh-in scuffle, before Singleton was then banned after the fight for the fracas and had his purse withheld.

However, Singleton believes he has plenty to thank the sport for, not just for the highs it has brought him but also because it has made him a better person.

On the decision to retire, Singleton said: "It was very tough, it was sickening really, to be honest.

"I'm not feeling the hunger and the love for the sport anymore. A lot went on through the last fight, with the build-up, the ban and not getting paid, so I don't know whether it's to do with that or if I have actually had enough.

"I'd love to get back in and fight but it's dangerous game and if I don't believe I can give 110 per cent physically and mentally then there's no point me doing it at all.

"Fights getting cancelled, not getting paid, there's just so much that goes on. I've put up with it because I love the sport, when you love something you put up with the bad for the good, but it's got the point now where I'm 28 and I need to have something behind me."

Singleton, who wants to stay involved with the sport outside the ropes, can look back with pride on his career in the ring.

"If I'd been in the game so long and never won a title I'd probably keep plodding on just to try and get that title," he said.

"When I turned pro the dream was to win a title and I've won six at three different weights, so I'm more than happy with what I've done and also the person it's made me, it's made me a much nicer, more respectful person than I would have been if it wasn't for boxing.

"There's two big memories. Beating Curtis Woodhouse for the English title, that was the highlight of my career, but a standout is also knocking Adil Anwar out live on Sky Sports,

"The Woodhouse fight wasn't on TV, but that was a massive upset and an amazing thing for me, but with being live on Sky Sports and however many thousands were watching, to knock Adil Anwar clean out was a moment I'll never forget."