SCOTT Quigg admits he misses fighting but Bury’s former world champion knows he made the right call in hanging up the gloves 12 months ago.

The 32-year-old called it quits after defeat to Irishman Jono Carroll at the Manchester Arena on March 7 last year.

The fight, one of the last to be staged in front of fans before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, was Quigg’s first in around 17 months after being struck down by injury.

That ring rust made the former WBA World super-bantamweight champion ponder his retirement but now happily coaching fighters, he has no regrets about his decision.

When asked if he missed being in the ring, Quigg told IFL TV: “I’d be lying if I said no.

“I obviously miss it but I’m not stupid as well.

“I know I can’t do what I used to be able to do and not only that the fighters coming through now are very, very good.

“The prospects that are coming up to nearly championship level, they are top-quality fighters and going up against them it’s not going to end well.

“You’ve just got to make the smart decision and hang them up.”

Quigg is now regularly helping out his former trainer Joe Gallagher’s stable in Bolton while also forging his own career as a cornerman, starting with Slovenian prospect, Tanja Ovsenik.

It is something he clearly takes a lot of pride in having been known to be one of the most dedicated fighters in the sport.

That took him to the very top of boxing with several memorable nights at the Manchester Arena, Wembley Stadium and in America.

“I’ve started going into the coaching side of things and I’m enjoying it,” said Quigg, who won 35 of his 40 fights with three draws and two defeats also on his record.

“I’m currently training a Slovenian female fighter who is 3-0.

“I started training her last November and I’m enjoying it, seeing the progression in her and in myself in the coaching side of things.

“Being in at Joe’s, learning from him, it’s good to be back amongst the lads again.”

It was the link up with Ovsenik that led to Quigg finding out once and for all he was done as an active fighter and had not rushed his decision in the wake of the Carroll defeat.

A quick session with some

amateurs during a trip to Slovenia was the plan, but the Bury star admits it told him all he needed to know about what his future was.

“About two weeks after the fight (against Carroll) I was still training,” said the one-time British champion.

“Still eating well, keeping myself fit, and because I’d been out of the ring for that long I was thinking ‘did I just need a fight to get back in?’.

“I was toying with my decision and wondering if I still had it.

“Then I went over to Slovenia training Tanya for three weeks and there were a couple of amateur kids.

“I had a move around with one of them and I had to try my hardest just to make sure I didn’t get a hiding.

“Then I thought ‘nah, it’s not there anymore’.

“I do miss it but I’m enjoying this side of it as well.”