By Phil D. Jay

Former British, Commonwealth and European light-middleweight title holder and now Sky pundit Jamie Moore has told WBN that he is mulling over a return to boxing after almost two and a half years away from the sport.

The 33 year-old retired in April 2010 as back-to-back losses to Ryan Rhodes and Siarhei Khomitski ended his world title dream and the Salford fighter is now assessing his fitness ahead of the possible reigniting of his ring career.

“Yes, I have been considering coming out of retirement,” Moore exclusively told World Boxing News.

“I've been keeping myself in shape to do the training sections for Sky and I feel good so I'm training harder to see if I still feel the same and my old injuries don't resurface.

“In my last fight (against Khomitski) I couldn’t have had more things against me than I did, with injuries and struggling with weight, plus mentally I wasn’t there. So I’d like the chance to finish on a better note, but only if I feel like I'm at least as good as I was.

“I don't want to have any regrets or thoughts of ‘I wonder what would have happened if I'd have fought again while I was still young enough and felt good’ and this way I'll know either way.”

Moore’s comments come on the back of rumours that big pal Ricky Hatton, who is also 33, is considering a return to the ring in November and when asked if a first outing since 2010 could happen on the undercard, the southpaw stated: “I know there's a lot of speculation about Rick fighting again because he's lost a lot of weight, but I really don't know if he will so I haven't even thought about the possibility of fighting on his bill or when it would be - but it would be fun!” 

“I'm not sure if Ricky will fight again or not, but I think it's entirely his choice and if he really wants to do it then he should,” Moore continued.

“People say he was on the slide but he put in a great performance against Malignaggi before the Pacquiao fight and I know he lost badly against him, but let's have it right - he's only lost to the two best fighters of our generation and he won't do it unless he feels capable of boxing at the level he was. So if he's still got it then why not?”

With his career beginning in 1999, Moore claimed his first domestic title in 2003, before becoming one of Britain’s most entertaining fighters of the decade and his 2009 battle with the recently-retired Ryan Rhodes will forever be fondly remembered by UK fans.

A 2006 war with former world middleweight title challenger Matthew Macklin, who Moore rates as his toughest opponent, will also live long in the memory and the Mancunian, who ended with a record of 32-5 with 23 stoppages, could now return in the same weight-class as the Irishman.

“If I fight again it will probably be at middle, but I'm lighter now (12st 7lb) than I was in between fights (which is obviously my own fault for being greedy!) and I have been eating whatever I want.

“So depending on how the weight came off, I would consider doing light middleweight (154lbs) again IF I decide to fight!”

Ever the consummate professional, Moore had some encouraging words for his old rival Rhodes, who tearfully announcement last week at that he would hang up his gloves at the age of 35 after a successful 52-fight career.

“I understand Ryan's reasoning for retiring, in that it will take him a while to get back to the level he wants to box at and he'll probably be too old by then so he's probably made the right decision.

“I would imagine he wouldn't be able to motivate himself for smaller fights now and I wish him all the best in whatever he chooses to do from now on, he's a top, top lad.”

Phil D. Jay covers worldboxingnews.net