British boxer Connor Coghill admits he is still in shock at being forced to retire after suffering a bleed on the brain in a 12th round TKO loss... but claims his final fight was still a career highlight

British boxer Connor Coghill has admitted he is still in shock at being forced to end his career after suffering a bleed on the brain following a fight last month.

Coghill had suffered the first defeat of his career against Hopey Price on October 7 in a featherweight contest for the WBA continental belt.

The bout in Sheffield was stopped in the 12th round in a technical knockout, with Coghill having been knocked down four times in the fight.

Coghill's trainer Stefy Bull later revealed he had been taken to hospital after suffering from headaches in the days following the bout.

A scan revealed Coghill had sustained a bleed on the brain, with the 28-year-old revealing he was initially told it may require draining and part of his skull removed.

He eventually was told an operation was not required with the bleed minimal and controlled.

Coghill was later discharged and expected to make a full recovery, but was forced to end his boxing career.

The 28-year-old has admitted that despite being forced to retire, the bout on the Leigh Wood-Josh Warrington card had been the highlight of his career.

'I knew I would never box again but I was grateful that a small kid from a council estate in Hull fought on the biggest stage - in front of 20,000 fans on a world-title undercard and live on DAZN,' Cogill said in a column for the BBC.

'That can't be taken away from me. To end on that note, though it's a bitter pill to swallow, makes me proud.

'To be honest, it is all a bit of a shock and probably hasn't fully sunk in.

'I had never before suffered from headaches because of boxing. I didn't cut water for the fight - if anything I was underweight. There was no tough sparring.

'The way I look at it is that it was a freak accident. Nobody caused it. It just happened.' 

Coghill also praised referee Bob Williams for a 'great decision' by stopping the fight in the 12th round, despite the boxer initially believing he should have been allowed to carry on.

Having been forced to end his professional career, with a record of 14 wins and one loss from 15 bouts, Coghill said he plans to gain his professional licence so he can train boxers.

Bull has launched a fundraiser to help support Coghill due to the loss on income cause by his retirement.