The Leeds Warrior suffered a fourth career loss and third straight defeat overall against Anthony Cacace at Riyadh Season Card - Wembley Edition in September this year.

• Read more | Josh Warrington hints at retirement following loss to Anthony Cacace

Following the bout, which Warrington lost by unanimous decision, the 34-year-old left his gloves in the middle of the ring, suggesting that he intended to retire after the bout.

But speaking exclusively to DAZN News, the former IBF title holder revealed that he plans to carry on, acknowledging that the choice to do so was a spur-of-the-moment call.

"I don't think so," he said on retiring. "I laid my gloves down in the ring, [but] it felt like a rash decision. One of my friends, [kickboxer] Liam Harrison did something similar.

"I thought, with my frustrations that I couldn't get going [in the fight] that maybe it's not there. I'm always critical. I can be winning a fight and think I'm not doing good enough.

"After analysing it, and watching back with my team, I still think there's enough there to compete at the highest level, and to win as well. Physically, I feel good.

"I do feel that if my mental side had been good [against Cacace], it might have been a different outcome. I can't complain about it, because what has happened has happened.

"I believe if it's gone physically, it's gone. You can't get that back. But the mental side can be changed. I’ve pinpointed the reasons why I wouldn’t let the shots fall as I usually do."

Warrington previously lost his two fights before Cacace, suffering a majority decision defeat against Luis Alberto Lopez before a surprise TKO reverse against Leigh Wood.

He was bidding to become a two-weight champion in his bout with the Belfast fighter, but admits he struggled to find his rhythm after a promising few rounds at Wembley Stadium.

"I’d had a perfect camp," he added. "Nothing could have gone better. I was fit, I was strong, I’d been through the gameplan diligently. We knew that second to none.

"But nothing came out on the night when it really mattered. I could see little triggers we were trying to pull, I could see the shots coming, but I couldn’t or didn’t do anything about it.

"I don't think it clicked until round nine or ten that I hadn't really got out of second gear and got into the fight. I thought I started really well and then I went into a bit of a shell."

Warrington admits that he struggled afterwards with the performance he delivered on the day, but has now come to terms with it as he prepares to enter another year in his career. 

"For a couple of weeks after, I was very frustrated with myself, kind of mourning it," he adds. That bled into frustration and annoyance. But I seem to be alright now."

 

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