VETERAN trainer Johnny Lewis yesterday revealed the reasons why he was left with no option but to throw in the towel on Kostya Tszyu's world title fight – quite possibly bringing an end to the great boxer's career. Lewis said Tszyu's life story was such a beautiful tale it deserved a storybook ending. But, instead, Tszyu, 35, hit the end of the yellow brick road in Manchester, worn out and ground down by Ricky Hatton, a Guinness-guzzling glutton whose insatiable hunger for victory overwhelmed the ageing world champ.

Tszyu was recovering from the brutal battle yesterday and said he would not make a decision on his future until he had talked it over with his family. He is due to arrive home tomorrow morning. The world champ wanted to come out for the last round of the fight but Lewis wouldn't let him – concerned for the wellbeing of his fighter.

"To me the most important thing of all is that Kostya is sleeping easy in his bed and he didn't get badly hurt," Lewis said. "After the ninth round I told Kostya that he had to win the last three. In the 10th he took a couple of big shots and I told him that if he got hit with any more that I would stop the fight rather than see him hurt. After the 11th I asked him again if he was OK and he said 'yes' but I told him I was stopping the fight because he was getting hit too much and he didn't respond."

Lewis was surprised that despite an outstanding preparation and all indications for victory, Tszyu became tired early in the fight.

"It was a surprise but also a realisation that age catches up with all of us, especially in boxing," Lewis said. "It was just a shame that age caught Kostya on the same night he was battling a young, strong aggressive kid with an in-your-face style that sapped Kostya's strength. As Kostya tired quickly his power also diminished and he couldn't keep Ricky away. Kostya did marvellously well to last as long as he did and that just shows you the heart of the guy."

It was Tszyu's 13th loss in a 27-year career and just his second as a professional stretching back to 1992 as Hatton started a blowtorch in round one and kept the fire burning until the Australian was retired after 11 rounds.

"The best man won. I will make no excuses. Ricky is a great champion," Tszyu said yesterday. "I was very surprised at his strength. I thought he would start to tire after a few rounds but he only got stronger and kept coming. I will not decide on my future until I go home, have a rest and talk it over with my family."

It was a fierce battle that left Tszyu looking like he'd been hit with an axe and urinating blood as a result of the blatant low blow that put him on his knees in round nine. Lewis was furious that English referee Dave Parris did not penalise Hatton for the vicious left hook to the groin that crushed whatever resistance Tszyu still had.

"I thought it was very weak of the ref," Lewis said. "Had an Australian referee like Billy Males or Trevor Christian seen a fighter do that they might very well have disqualified him. The Hatton camp accused Kostya of throwing low blows too but his were borderline and nothing so blatant as Ricky's shot.

"By that stage Ricky was getting the upper hand so I can't say that it cost us the fight. I knew we were behind on points going into the last round."

Lewis said he always imagined a triumphant farewell for the fighter and while members of his camp were divided over whether Tszyu should fight Hatton again, Lewis said: "To anyone who has followed Kostya's career he will always be regarded as a winner and champion. There were periods in the fight when I thought Kostya was going to win. He wobbled Ricky in the fifth and I felt then that Kostya would take the upper hand. But Ricky made Kostya fight his fight with constant pressure."

While Tszyu ponders his future, brawler Hatton said he would welcome a return bout, even in Australia.

"I would fight him again," Hatton said. "I have only just got to my peak at 26. I've had a lot of cuts but I've not had too many really bad ones. I'm fresh for 39 fights. I raised my game and that's why I didn't get hit as much. The offer is there for Kostya to challenge me – Australia would be a bit warmer than Manchester."