In the build-up to Saturday's bout, Edwards dropped hints about not being in the right space and the potential of retiring, admitting "a loss can make or break a fighter but I think it depends on where they are at in their life".
Stepping on to enemy territory to face Yafai, it was no surprise that Edwards was welcomed into the arena by a wall of boos from a hostile crowd, however, it was nothing but cheers and respect from the crowd when he announced his retirement in the ring.
Edwards started boxing aged nine, following his older brother Charlie into the gym, and pugilism quickly consumed his life.
After training in Sheffield with Team GB and enjoying a successful amateur career, Edwards made the move into the professional ranks in 2016.
The 28-year-old ascended through the ranks with incredible skill, putting the British flyweight division on the map, and won the IBF title by beating Moruti Mthalane to extend his record to 16-0 in 2021.
After four successive defences, Edwards dared to dream but came up short when trying to unify against WBO champion Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez in December 2023.
Edwards bounced back to beat Adrian Curiel in June but was unable to find his groove against Yafai.
"I'm touching 20 years in a boxing career, and have been professional for about eight, and I've been busy," Edwards said.
"The only thing I think about when I get out of the ring is getting back in it and it has absorbed my life, my happiness, my effort.
"I've missed so many sports days, so many firsts of my kids' lives to do this.
"I couldn't get through a camp for the last four of five years without a bad wrist, a bad hand, a bad shoulder - I had to miss two or three weeks of training for this camp because I couldn't walk."