GWENT’S Jamie Arthur, who won Commonwealth Games gold and was a Commonwealth champion as a professional is retiring from boxing, the Argus can reveal.

Cwmbran-puncher Arthur, 31, is giving up the sport to focus on his family and charity work after becoming disillusioned with the professional ranks for a second time.

The 2002 gold medal winner turned pro in 2003 and won his first nine fights, but back-to-back defeats turned him away from the sport for almost three years.

However, since returning in 2008 it’s been onwards and upwards for Arthur, winning the Welsh super featherweight title and battling his way up to a British title shot at featherweight against the impressive Martin Lindsay, beating Akaash Batia in a fight of the year contender to get there.

Though he was unsuccessful in his quest to win the famous Lonsdale belt he did get a crack at the Commonwealth title at super bantamweight and beat tough challenger Kris Hughes to take the title.

Arthur’s last fight was a scrap with British champion Jason Booth, but the former world level fighter won a split decision to take both crowns.

Arthur was promised a rematch on live television afterwards, but has decided to bow out on his own terms with his faculties intact and his head held high.

"I’ve had a sit down and chat with my family, it’s been on my mind for a few months and at 31 I want to dedicate myself to my family," he explained.

"For over 10 years I have dedicated myself to being a professional boxer and I’ve had an amazing run, but I want to do what is best for my family and leave the sport in good health and take some time to focus on other things and re-establish myself.”

Arthur believes he could easily fight on, but is tired of the political games that are played in boxing.

"You’re constantly waiting for a phone call, waiting to hear who you are fighting next, it’s just too slow a process, I have become frustrated with it all," he said.

"The opportunities are too few and far between, I could box on for four or five years, I’m fit enough, but I am looking forward to opening another chapter in my life. I am hanging the gloves up for good."

Arthur is happy to be able to look back on his career fondly and paid tribute to those who helped him along the way, though he’s certain of what his highlight was.

"Winning the Commonwealth Games in Manchester is still the highlight, standing on that podium was the most surreal and touching moment I have ever experienced," he said.

"And as a pro I have created some good memories since I came back.

"The boxing fans of Wales really opened their hearts to me and hopefully will agree I haven’t been in any dull fights since. But of course, winning the Commonwealth title was a highlight and I do regret not getting that British title.

"But it’s been a great ride for me with some brilliant people helping me.

"Chris Manley, my first coach in boxing and Kim Howells, my Commonwealth Games coach, really influenced me early on.

"And professionally I was lucky, I worked with all the Gwent guys at some point, Tony Borg, Enzo Calzaghe, Sammy Sims, Eddie Avoth, Darren Wilson and Chris Sanigar. I would like to give all of them my thanks, they’ve all helped me along the way."

However, Arthur’s focus is now only in one place.

"My biggest supporters are my wife Karen, my two boys Oliver and Daniel and my parents Betty and Gordon," he said.

"They’ve never stopped backing me and now my heart is at rest, I came back to boxing and proved everyone who said I wasn’t good enough to cut it as a professional that they were wrong.

"Now I can move on and I couldn’t be happier.

“I will never completely be away from boxing, but my fighting days are over.

“I hope I can give something back to the sport now, that would be nice.

“I already do a lot of personal fitness stuff and so I don’t think I will ever completely move away from boxing.

“But it’s nice to be able to look back and know that I am proud of what I achieved and my family are as well.”