By Jonny Stapleton

PAUL McCloskey hit back claims he is on the verge of hanging up his gloves and stressed retirement never even crossed his mind.

Rumours were rife the 32 year old southpaw would call it a day and bow out after being stopped by veteran DeMarcus Corley in the Kings Halls in May. The defeat all but put paid to his world title hopes and there was a feeling McCloskey wasn’t keen on a return to domestic or European level.

However the Dungiven stylist is adamant one bad day at the office isn’t enough to prompt him to call an end to a successful career and the John Breen trainer plans a return before the year is out.

“I am not retiring. I have never thought that or said that. Against Corley I had my first bad night in seven years. It was a hurtful defeat and a hard pill to swallow, but I will be back. You can count on that,” McCloskey told the Belfast Newsletter.

Fighters, such as McCloskey, who rely on reflexes, usually have a shorter shelf life. Once the reactions have slowed reflex fighters become too easy to hit. There was those who suggested that was the former British and European champions problem against the 37 year old American last time out, but the fan favourite is adamant he still has
the talent to compete at the top.

“I am not in boxing for the craic. I am here to win and earn a living. But if I thought for two seconds that I was not up to it – I would walk away. I have a great family behind me, a great team and I come from a great town who have given me fantastic support. I still have
lots to offer boxing. If I thought for two seconds I could not perform as I know I can, that would be it,” he added before predicting a return to winning ways latter in the year.
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““I am heading back to the gym and will be coming back to get back to winning ways and move on.I am going to be out again before the end of the year. They were talking about September or October but I will be back again definitely this year.