AS the television cameras were turned off and the lights went out on Sky's Ringside programme this week, Curtis Woodhouse took a deep breath following an announcement he'd been waiting to share.
The decision to retire from boxing, for good this time, was in truth an easy one, but it made it no less painful.
Switching on his phone, the response will surely have justified the decision.
The well wishes that poured in from fans were most welcome, but it was the praise from his peers across the fight game which will have meant the most.
From a laughing stock almost hounded out of gyms for trying to be a footballer pretending to box, to British champion heralded for his courage and tenacity, Woodhouse scaled heights many can't reach and did it in a style that is of true Hollywood legend.
Respect across boxing for a Premier League footballer who became a premier boxer was earned not just in blood, sweat and tears, but against all the odds.
And when you've worked that hard for that sort of reputation, it would be foolish to toss it aside.
"I've gone from a no-hoper to British champion and worked for so long and so hard to get the reputation I now have, I'm not going to throw it away by boxing on past my best," explained Woodhouse.
"I don't need to fight on for the money, there's better ways of making a living than getting your face punched in and I don't want to be remembered for ending my career with average or poor fights."
There's no chance of that happening now. Woodhouse will be remembered for that emotional night in Hull last February when a promise to his dying father was honoured by holding aloft the Lonsdale Belt.
The British title was what it was all about that night. It's what it's always been about. Stepping into a boxing gym eight years ago and telling his manager and now close friend Dave Coldwell the British title was the dream, Woodhouse was almost laughed out.
Four victories in his first 18 months as a pro' boxer ensured an unbeaten record, but even then his performances indicated more of a rough boxer than a rough diamond.
And, 29 fights later, even Woodhouse would admit it's his heart and durability that brought him success. But that's not to underestimate a boxer whose improvement has been staggering.
The likes of Frankie Gavin and Shayne Singleton were fortunate to get points decisions and Darren Hamilton didn't lose his British title on a poor display, he was technically beaten.
"There's been good and bad nights, but I've come a long way. It's certainly been a roller coaster," added Woodhouse.
"The key for me is when I left football I'd already fallen out of love with the sport some years earlier. I still love boxing. I'm in love with the sport and I want to leave it while I have those feelings and with my head held high. I've been beaten, had my nose broken, stitches in my face and much more, but when you hold that British title it's all worth it.
"I climbed my Everest. Winning the British title is all I ever wanted to do. I leave the sport with a promise intact to my dad and with memories that will never leave. Why do you need to carry on when you've got that in your locker?"
The British title is the angel on top of the Christmas tree for Woodhouse, but even without it he enjoyed a career of some repute.
An English championship belt is nothing to be sniffed at, and even in defeat he provided some of the domestic scene's most memorable fights of recent years.
He'll miss fight nights, but this is the man affectionately known as the troll hunter for his social media exploits, so staying out of the limelight seems unlikely.
For now his attention is being thrown into pre-season for Goole Town in his new role as manager.
"I'm doing the badges, I want to be a fully qualified coach and I'm looking forward to throwing myself into that," said Woodhouse.
"I'll be back involved in boxing at some stage in the future in some way, but for now it's time to step away, enjoy spending time with my family and winning some football games with Goole Town."
With an autobiography in the pipeline, and even talk of his life being given that Hollywood treatment with a film, the fairytale story may not be over just yet.
Behind the glint in his eye it's obvious there's ambitions of being a professional football manger.
Treading up and down the touchline at non-league Goole Town, that seems an unlikely future right now, some may even say a foolish ambition. Far-fetched, perhaps.
Just like a top-flight footballer becoming a British champion boxer.
