Ben Murphy is quitting boxing after a second unsuccessful attempt to win a British title.

The miniature Hove fighter has blown the candles out on his career inside the ring ahead of his daughter’s fourth birthday.

Murphy’s bid to win the vacant British lightweight crown came to an end early in the ninth round against local favourite Martin Gethin at Walsall Town Hall on Friday night.

He was pinned on the ropes by punishing body shots for the second round running when referee Marcus McDonnell stepped in to stop the contest.

Murphy, 32, went close to winning the British light-welterweight title 13 months ago. A late starter in the professional ranks, the defeat by Gethin was his sixth in 16 fights spread over six years.

He admitted to The Argus: “I think it’s over. Even though it has only been 15 fights it was a long, long road to get here.

“I’ve neglected things in the rest of my life and I feel like I want to dedicate myself to my family, my daughter Coco who is four in a few days, and and my missus Mahi. We are engaged to be married. They are everything to me."