The 37-year-old entered the ring for the first time in three years and simply felt from early on that father time had caught up with him.

The former WBC bantamweight champion was ahead on two of the judges cards as he was throwing his usual high volume of blows but the Pocket Rocket had a different perspective on the fight.

McCullough said: "It's time for me to go, it's time to move on now.

"I knew after the first round that I didn't have the snap or the sharpness. It just wasn't there any more.

"I know two of the judges had me ahead but I don't know how because I just couldn't see it, I didn't feel like I was working the way I wanted.

"I was thinking to myself, if this kid can catch me with these silly punches then what would happen if I was in a world title fight?"

Wife Cheryl felt there was something wrong from around the fourth round as she watched him go back to the corner.

"He made a face at me from the corner and I knew something wasn't right and when I asked him he said that he felt his legs were heavy," said Cheryl.

"It wasn't that he was taking a beating, he just felt he couldn't go on and I'm glad that he made the decision for himself and not a doctor or an official."

McCullough, who needed three stitches on top of his head due to a clash of heads, added: "I think the three years off and I'm getting older £ the age more than anything else just got to me.

"After the six rounds I just told my corner I can't do this any more.

"I'm very disappointed with the finish but I know it's the right decision.

"I'm not stupid and I always said that I would know when it was time to go and this is the right time."