Amir Khan's trainer Virgil Hunter says his fighter must now "reassess his career" following his TKO defeat to Terence Crawford.
Fighting for the WBO welterweight title in Madison Square Garden, Khan was knocked down in the opening round against the undefeated world champion.
The Briton was then on the receiving end of a low blow in the sixth round with Hunter pulling Khan out after the fighter told his trainer he was no longer able to feel his legs.
There was the suggestion from some ex-pros and boxing commentators that Khan may have opted to take "the easy way out" against an opponent who had been awarded every round on the judges' scorecards.
But Hunter quickly dismissed such claims, telling BT Sport: "I don't think he was looking for a way out of the fight.
"He was having some success coming back into the fight, it looked like he was starting to pick up on Crawford's rhythm. You don't know what the outcome might have been had he still stayed with it. But he indicated it was a bad shot.
"I have to take his word for it."
The defeat was the fifth of Khan's career with his hopes of winning another world title now all but over.
Hunter said Khan will now take some time away from the ring before deciding his next move - also explaining the Bolton fighter was carrying an elbow injury heading into the fight.
"The main thing is to get him healthy, he has been dealing with some injuries, the right elbow. He has to get healthy and reassess his career."
