Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jamie Arthur has quit boxing just three years after turning professional. Arthur told BBC Sport: "Over the last couple of years I've had a few injuries and I haven't been able to support myself or my family financially.
"It's been a struggle and boxing is no longer a sport - it's a business.
"And if you're not earning enough money you've got to look at other avenues to make some money. I've lost my heart and motivation for professional boxing."
Arthur, 25, joined Frank Warren's professional stable in 2002, a few months after becoming Wales' first Commonwealth Games gold medallist since the late Howard Winstone in 1958.
The Cwmbran lightweight was intent on emulating the great Merthyr fighter Winstone by becoming a world champion.
He made a promising start with comfortable wins in his first fights, but signs of future trouble soon appeared as he suffered a series of nasty cuts in his next outings.
A clash of heads against fellow Commonwealth Games gold medallist Haider Ali last January resulted in his first defeat, and the alarm bells were ringing loudly after a comprehensive defeat against Harry Ramakgoadi in July.
"There was a huge amount of expectations on my shoulders when I turned professional and I wanted to go on and win world titles," Arthur added.
 |  I wouldn't like to divulge how much I was earning, but it wasn't a great deal of money |
"That has always been my dream. I always hoped persistence would pay off.
"But people are out there to make money and that took the love out of the game a little bit.
"For me, the enjoyment hasn't been there for the last 18 months, so when you're not enjoying something it's time to make a change."
Arthur stressed he felt no animosity towards his promoter, Frank Warren, but warned it is only a select few who can hope to make a living out of boxing.
He said: "Last year I had three fights and that's not enough. I wouldn't like to divulge how much I was earning, but it wasn't a great deal of money.
"It's really tough unless you're fighting five or six times a year on big cards."
Despite failing to fulfil his dream, Arthur, who won nine Welsh amateur titles, says he will have no regrets when he looks back over his career.
His goal now is to return to the amateur ranks as a personal trainer and pass on his experience to the next generation of Welsh boxers.
"Hopefully we can get more Commonwealth and Olympic champions," said Arthur.
"I'm going to take it slow and lead from the good trainers we've already got in Wales. I don't want to step on any toes."
MMIX
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