Josh Taylor not willing to 'play the lottery' with his health as Scottish boxing hero lifts lid on shock retirement
Josh Taylor admits he could have carried on his boxing career - but it could have came at the expense of his health.
The Prestonpans fighter - who reigned as super-lightweight world champion of the world between 2021 and 2022 and the only UK boxer to ever hold all four major belts in a division - announced his retirement from the sport last week after being advised to pack it in on medical grounds.
Taylor says he made the decision to call it quits after learning he had suffered damage to his left eye retina in the wake of his loss to Ekou Essuman at the end of May.
The 34-year-old - who was also a 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, reveals that he could have carried on fighting if his own-well being did not come first.
Speaking to iFL TV, the ex 135-pound champion said: "It was the right decision for my health. I would have loved to continue.
"It's all healed up now as I had laser surgery on my eye. They thought they saw a wee tear in my retinal tissue and in the end they found six tears.
"So I thought 'right, that's it, I've got to look after my health now'. I probably could have continued but it was a big risk to take.
"I was literally one punch away from going blind in that eye.
"Could I have continued? probably. But given the risks from what I got told and given what I have achieved in the sport, it's the best decision I have to make for my health.
Taylor finished his career with three consecutive defeats to Essuman, rival Jack Catterall and American star Teofimo Lopez.
And the Scot concedes he is still coming to terms with putting up the gloves for good. "I've had a couple of weeks to digest it now but it's all still a bit raw and emotional", he added. "It's a big of f****** heartache still but I am getting there.
"I have got six belts sitting in my living room that I can sit and look at, think about and be proud of.
"I am very proud of what I have achieved for Scottish boxing and to pave the way for the next generation coming through. I feel very proud that I have put it back on the map.
"It's still quite raw knowing it's the end and that I haven't gone out on my own terms.
"I have had problems with my eye since 2019 and had three operations on it. I'm not playing the lottery with my health anymore."
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