Sam Sexton says he will not make a knee-jerk reaction over his future, despite seeing his British heavyweight crown taken away from him in devastating fashion.

The Norwich fighter was floored twice as the first defence of his title was ended in the fifth round on Saturday by 23-year-old challenger Hughie Fury.

Sexton – who underwent precautionary tests and scans at a Bolton hospital after the fight – had said pre-fight that defeat could spell the end of a professional career which dates back to 2005 and has taken him to the top of the domestic boxing tree.

But the 33-year-old said yesterday that retirement plans would have to wait until discussions this week with his team – trainers Graham Everett and Jon Thaxton and promoter Mervyn Turner.

'I'll watch the fight back a few times then we will sit down and talk about what happens next,' said Sexton.

'I am not going to say, 'that's it, I am retiring', because I felt good in there.

'Had I put in a poor performance then I am pretty sure that would have made the decision a lot easier.

'But I felt good. Yes, I am disappointed, because I don't think he had the power to trouble me. I kept walking forward, getting my shots in, getting my feet in position and thought I was improving as the rounds went on. But then, of course, he caught me and that was that.

'But as for what happens next, I am not going to be a punchbag or a journeyman – every time I go into a fight I feel confident I can win and that remains the case. I said before this could be it if I lose, but what changes my mind a little is that I did feel really good.

'There is life in the legs yet – maybe more life than there has been in the past.'

Everett has trained Sexton since his early teens and will have a big say on the next step.

'It will be down to Sam to make a decision,' he said. 'He will take a little time out, I will sit down and talk to him and the team and we will make a decision, but this is a tough, tough game. I am like Sam – I don't want to see him hanging around being a stepping stone for young heavyweights coming up, but the decision will have to be his.

'He is either a champion in real fights or he won't fight, but let's see how he feels.'

Report - inside