The Leigh Park Warrior's trainer has spoken out in favour of him continuing his fight career after the Commonwealth title defeat to Nathan Cleverly.

Oakey was beaten by the Welsh rising star over 12 gruelling rounds in Liverpool on Friday night.

Now he faces the agonising decision of whether to walk away from the sport.

The 32-year-old finds himself out of the title equation after two successive defeats.

And he has to decide whether he feels he can get himself back into that shake-up in the twilight of his career.

It's an incredibly tough choice to make, with countless boxers choosing to fight on past their prime.

The 25-4-1 man has insisted he doesn't want to become a journeyman fighter after spending his career at championship level.

Oakey has vowed to take his time before coming to a decision on his future.

He is due to jet off for a holiday where he will discuss his plans with his fiancee.

Then he will come to his final decision after consultation with his family and trainer Johnny Eames.

Eames has made it clear he feels Oakey can still have a future in the fight game.

He feels he has to bide his time and avoid any rash decisions about his next step.

Eames said: 'I've not really got any advice for Tony.

'There's not a lot I can pass on to him about his future that he doesn't already know.

'It's his decision, and it's not a decision to make easily.

'We will have a few words and I will tell him what I think. Tony will have his say and I will have my say, and then he will decide to do what he thinks is right.

'At the minute I'm not thinking about him retiring.

'It's his call, though, and we will have to see what he decides to do.'
Eames admitted the Oakey camp were surprised by the quality of Cleverly's performance at the Everton Park Sports Centre.

The former Enzo Calzaghe-trained fighter looks to be going places after a fine showing on Friday.

Oakey could never grab a real foothold in the contest as Cleverly boxed well on the outside and tied up the former WBU champ when he poured forward.

But his trainer stated he was still pleased with the trademark bravery he showed.

And Eames said he was convinced Oakey's powers were not on the slide.
He said: 'I'm still proud of Tony no matter what happened.

'The old Tony didn't go in there like I knew he could.

'I don't really know the reasons why he was like he was, but it is something we will have to talk over.

'I don't think the fight really unfolded for Tony, certainly not the way I wanted it to unfold.

'The other kid had a good game plan and was better than what we thought he was to be honest.

'Tony dragged him into a battle in some of the middle rounds, but it wasn't enough.'