Josh Taylor’s whole world came crashing down around him when he was told by doctor’s that he would have to retire or risk going blind.Boxing had consumed the Scotsman’s life since the first day he walked into a gym at 14 years old.GETTYA serious eye injury has forced Taylor to hang up his gloves at 19-3[/caption]20 years later, he was faced with the daunting reality that his career was over following a terrifying discovery during a routine operation on his left eye.“I was going in for squint surgery to correct a reoccurring injury and they looked into the eye and did all their pictures and there was a tear in my retinal tissue,” Taylor told talkSPORT.com.“They suggested I should have a little bit of laser eye surgery and that it would be no problem.“Then, when I got on the operation table I was there a little bit longer than they had told me I was going to be.“When I got back to the waiting room, they said ‘We thought you had one tear but you actually had six’.“And I was like ‘Oh f***, well you have just made my mind up on what my future holds in boxing’.“I was told I was very lucky to escape with my eye sight intact so I took the doctor’s advice on board and counted my blessings…“I’m lucky to be sitting here talking to you without being blind in one eye. My decision was made for me there and then.“It was like my world was caving in. I’ve had a couple of weeks to digest it but it is still quite raw.”Taylor‘s retirement marks the close of a special chapter in the annals of British boxing history.Taylor is the only Brit to become undisputed champion in the four-belt eraGettyThe 34-year-old sits atop of an elite club of one as the only Brit to achieve undisputed supremacy in the four-belt era.He attained the lofty feat by clearing out a stacked super lightweight division between 2019 and 2022.After tearing through varying levels of opposition in his first 14 fights, Taylor outgunned a bullish Ivan Baranchyk to lay claim to the IBF super lightweight crown in May 2019.The victory elevated him into the World Boxing Super Series final five months later where he squared off with WBA and lineal champion Regis Prograis.It was in this fight that Taylor proved he was made of sterner stuff.Battling through severe swelling on his left eye that rendered him unable to see for the final three rounds, the Prestonpans puncher never gave an inch as he crashed through to a majority decision win.Taylor cleared out the best boxers of his era during a legendary runMikey Williams/Top RankWhile it remains the best victory of a Hall of Fame worthy run, it also marked the beginning of a litany of eye problems that plagued Taylor for the final six years of his career.In May 2021, after multiple operations, Taylor was able to add the WBC and WBO belts to his collection by overcoming Jose Ramirez on away soil in Las Vegas.However, in the years that followed, his career took a steep, unforgiving decline.Taylor hangs up his gloves off the back of a three fight skid to Teofimo Lopez, Jack Catterall, and Ekow Essuman.Thankfully, the modern great steps away from the sport with his finances in check and with a selfless vision to give back to the next generation in his local area.“Financially, I’m okay,” Taylor added. “I’ve been quite wise and smart with the money I have earned and made the right investments.Josh Taylor's notable career achievements As an amateurWon gold and silver at the Commonwealth GamesRepresented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics As a proCommonwealth super lightweight championWorld Boxing Super Series super lightweight championUndisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super lightweight championHeld a career-highest pound-for-pound ranking of No.5 in 2021“So I’d probably be okay to do nothing, but that is not in my nature.“I’m going to have to do something or be involved in the sport in some way or another. I’ve had my eye on opening up a gym for a number of years.“So, hopefully I can actually do that now that I have the time to get the wheels in motion.“In my local area [of Prestonpans] there is nothing for the kids to do.“They are all running around and causing havoc so if I can open up a boxing gym around about this sort of area then it can hopefully take some kids off the street and teach them a little bit of discipline.“They don’t even have to box, it could be just teaching them self defence and the fundamentals of boxing.“Hopefully then they will have the confidence in themselves to not go out and cause trouble.”