The recent decision loss to Tavoris Cloud was too much for Clinton Woods, 37, to take. The British fighter officially announced his retirement from boxing after a 15-year career that saw him win the light heavyweight crown and face fighters such as Roy Jones Jr, Glen Johnson, Julio Gonzalez and others.

"Cloud was a really good fighter and he's young, while maybe I'm too old for that level. In my hey-day I would have beaten him, but I have no excuses and I think my love affair with boxing is over. I wouldn't have chosen to have gone out with a defeat, but I never took a beating," Woods told The Star.

Woods admits that after watching the fight with Cloud, he saw that it was Cloud who controlled the pace in the fight.

"Yes, Cloud did hurt me in one of the rounds, but I felt at the time that the fight was closer than it actually was. When I watched it on video, I thought the first six rounds were even, but it is obvious that Cloud took it over from there. It was weird because at the time I read it completely wrong. I thought I had set the pace.

"There have been more ups than downs over 15 years. Beating Crawford Ashley for the European light-heavyweight title (1993) and winning the world title against Rico Hoye (2005) were the biggest highlights, along with beating Glen Johnson (2006.) It was good while it lasted and I am happy with what I achieved. I'm not a millionaire but I have made some money out of boxing. But I couldn't do nothing. I'd want to work a couple of days a week. I'll miss boxing, but I'll keep going to the gym."