FOREST boxer Stuart McKenzie has decided to hang up his gloves after lifting the welterweight title in the United Boxing Council All England Championships.
Stuart, who lives at Caroby Place, Coverham Road, Berry Hill, says he now wants to concentrate on coaching.
"I hope to gain my coaching licence soon and would like to coach locally," he said.
"I'm 31 now and though I have been offered the chance to box professionally I think the time is right to turn to coaching. At the moment I have to train as much as six days a week and I have to admit it doesn't get any easier," he said.
Stuart turned to boxing after picking up an injury in a kick boxing competition.
"I trained at Cinderford for a while but I had a friend at the Newport Golden Gloves Club and switched to them," he said.
"It has been a lot of work but I've really enjoyed it. I have to train in Newport twice a week and then spend four days working on my own. Fortunately I have had some local lads helping me out and my family have always supported me," he said.
The All England victory was Stuart's 14th straight win.
Stuart has dedicated his title win to his family and wants to thank local boxers who have helped him with his training.
"There are some good local lads around and I would like to help then now," he said.
Among them is Tommy Hopkins, 14, a Lydney schoolboy who will be competing in the Schoolboy Championships in Cheltenham this weekend.
"I've been helping Tommy with his training and I hope things go well for him," said Stuart.
A life-long boxing fan, he has met many of the top professional boxers and is an avid collector of boxing memorabilia.