NEWPORT super bantamweight Matthew Edmonds is considering retiring from boxing after his latest defeat.

The St Joseph’s fighter, who turns 27 on Saturday, lost his challenge for the vacant British Masters title to Shaun Doherty at the Newport Centre last weekend and believes now may be the right time to hang up his gloves.

Edmonds did not rush into announcing his retirement after being stopped in the 10th and final round on the George & Dragon Promotions bill, but his words betrayed the fact that the decision may not be far off.

“It’s too early to say at the moment but I said to myself before the fight (if I lose) that’s it for me,” he said “I’ve had a long career – 167 amateur fights and 16 as a professional now.

“More than 180 fights is a long career for someone of my age.

“It’s tough but I might come back. If not I’ll keep in with boxing, maybe training kids.

“Boxing has done a lot for me,” he added. “I’ve seen the world out of it as an amateur with the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships, the Olympic qualifiers – you name it I’ve done it. “And as a pro I’ve fought for the British and Commonwealth titles so I’ve got a lot to be proud of.”

Edmonds now has a record of 11 wins and five defeats as a pro and has only won one of his last four bouts.

He picked out his seventh round stoppage defeat to Gary Davies in a British bantamweight title fight at London’s York Hall in March 2009 as the turning point in his career, admitting he hasn’t been the same since.

“The Gary Davies fight took a lot out of me,” he explained.

“It really dented my confidence that did, when I got stopped against him.

“When I’m in the ring now it’s like something’s fighting against me and I can’t really explain it,” he added.

“I’ll go away now and think about it before I make any decisions.”