Tyrone Nurse Reflects on Retirement and Eyes a New Role in Boxing

After more than four years away from the ring, it seemed as though Tyrone Nurse, with a record of 37-7-2 (7 KOs), had quietly stepped away from boxing without a formal announcement. Now, after a period of reflection, the former British super-lightweight champion has officially confirmed his retirement. However, his journey in boxing may be far from over, as he hints at a future outside the ring but still within the sport.

A Stellar Career with Hard-Fought Battles

Hailing from West Yorkshire, Nurse quickly built a name for himself, going 18-0 in just three and a half years. His participation in ‘Prizefighter 23’ saw him defeat Dave Miles and veteran Young Mutley, before suffering his first career defeat to Adil Anwar in the final. However, this setback didn’t halt his rise. Nurse went on to win the Central Area and English titles before challenging Chris Jenkins for the British title. After a draw in their first fight, he secured the Lonsdale Belt in a dominant unanimous decision victory.

Trained by his father, Chris Aston, Nurse’s reign included successful title defenses against fighters like Willie Limond, Tommy Coyle, and Joe Hughes. His time as champion ended in 2017 after a narrow loss to Jack Catterall, who is now a world title contender.

Challenges After Losing the British Title

Losing his champion status meant fewer opportunities and reduced promotional interest. To revive his career, Nurse took a fight in Australia against Jack Brubaker, a controversial split-decision loss that he still finds baffling. He returned to the UK but suffered close defeats to Liam Taylor and Ekow Essuman, further diminishing his prospects.

Nurse eventually returned to winning ways in 2019, before taking a short-notice fight in Marbella against Kerman Lejarraga, a former European champion. Although he lost by decision, he admits now that he wasn’t mentally or physically prepared for the challenge.

The Realization and Retirement Decision

After years of struggling for opportunities, Nurse decided to step away quietly.

“I realized I’d lost something needed in this game. Cutting weight, the sacrifices, and the politics of boxing—it all felt like too much,” Nurse admitted. “I knew I was never going to get a fair shake or a big chance again. The sport was changing, and I just didn’t fit into the new system.”

However, Nurse humorously added, “If KSI or Jake Paul wants to pay me to slap them around, I’m game for it!”

A New Chapter: Coaching and Community Work

Despite stepping away from competition, Nurse never lost his love for boxing. After struggling with the transition to a normal life, he eventually returned to the gym. Now, he’s considering a future as a trainer, mentoring young fighters and giving back to the community.

“I’ve been helping out at the gym, and the youngsters want me to pass on my experience. I’m not ready to fully commit just yet, but eventually, I’d love to open my own gym and create a safe space for kids. Back in the day, we had youth clubs, but there’s nothing like that anymore.”

Reviving Huddersfield’s Boxing Scene

Nurse also spoke about the decline of boxing in Huddersfield, citing the lack of unity among local gyms and the closure of Huddersfield Leisure Centre as major factors.

“There’s no big venue for fights anymore, and the local gyms don’t work together. Young boxers are turning pro elsewhere because there’s no proper setup here. I want to change that and bring boxing back to Huddersfield.”

With a clear vision and the determination that defined his career, Tyrone Nurse is now focused on shaping the next generation of fighters. Whether he succeeds in revitalizing Huddersfield’s boxing scene remains to be seen, but his dedication and experience make him the perfect candidate to lead the charge.