STOURBRIDGE boxer Sam Horton has decided to quit the sport and concentrate on his studies.

The 24-year-old super-middleweight made the announcement after a controversial early exit from Prizefighter last week but says his decision to retire was made before the event.

Horton (pictured right) currently works as a bus driver but is training to become an occupational department practitioner.

While he has not ruled out making a comeback, Horton now wants to spend more time with his fiance Sally and daughter Charlotte.

He said: “I have enjoyed my boxing career but I was telling my trainers before Prizefighter that I would be calling it a day.

“I want to concentrate on my family and my studies. I’m hoping to go to university next year and that now has to be my main priority.

“You need a career after boxing and I don’t intend on being stuck behind a wheel driving a bus.

“I may decide to come back at some stage but it won’t be until I’ve completed my studies.”

Horton won 15 of his 18 professional bouts and claimed the Midlands Area title by defeating Matt Hainey last year.

However, he had been beaten in three of his last five fights, which included heavy knockout defeats to Cello Renda last September and James DeGale in May.

Horton added: “You have to give boxing 100 per cent, it’s too dangerous a sport to not give it your full focus.

“It’s no good going in there and treating it like a hobby and I just don’t have the time.

“I have enjoyed it and it has helped pay my way but now it’s time to move on.”

Horton’s dream of claiming Prizefighter glory was ended after just 92 seconds as he was stopped in the first round by 19-year-old Patrick Mendy, who eventually went on to claim the trophy.

Referee Ian John-Lewis stepped in as Horton was caught several times by his opponent and knocked into a corner.

The stoppage seemed slightly premature and Horton certainly appeared angry as he left the ring.

He said: “It seemed premature to me but you can’t take the referee’s decision away from him.

“I think you could see from my reaction how angry I was, I was in a really bad mood.

“I got caught by a shot and was actually laughing at myself for getting hit by it.

“When the referee came over I thought he was going to give me an eight count, I couldn’t believe he was stopping it.”