Carl Frampton has revealed how a recent sparring session left him floored - further cementing his decision to retire from boxing.
The Jackal called time on his career in April last year after losing out to Jamel Herring for the WBO World super-featherweight title in Dubai.
He retired at the age of 34 and having become a two-weight world champion.
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Frampton admits he often gets asked about making a comeback, especially after seeing former opponent Kiko Martinez's career continue to flourish at the ripe age of 36.
Martinez recently stopped Jordan Gill to become new European featherweight champion, and has also held the IBF World belt.
Frampton beat Martinez twice in his career to win the European and IBF World super-bantamweight titles in his home city.
But he says the sands of time have definitely caught up with him, and a recent spar with good mate Steven Ward only confirmed that.
Speaking in his Sunday Life column, Frampton said: "People have asked me about comebacks and it’s something I would never consider.
"Recently, I did a bit of sparring with Stevie Ward for a documentary and after one two-minute round I had to lie on my back for 10 minutes, but there’s Kiko still going strong and knocking people out whereas I’m completely done.
"It’s a testament to how he lives his life outside of the ring as he trains at home, doesn’t drink, eats well and spends time with his family. Perhaps that explains his longevity in the sport.
"I’ve always been of the mind that going away for training camps is a good thing, but he doesn’t need to do that as boxing perhaps isn’t as popular a sport in Spain and therefore he doesn’t have the same distractions."
Frampton added: "At times when he couldn’t get fights, he’s been only too happy to take on guys who are almost journeymen just to stay busy and didn’t care who or where — anyone remember the Dougie Curran fight at The Devenish?
"He is a potential Hall of Fame inductee and even though I’ve beaten him twice, he would probably be ahead of me in that line.
"Maybe we’ll have an exhibition at the Crusaders Social Club at the end of the year, but only one two-minute round."
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