Fowler was due to fight home hope Zhanibek Alimkhanuly in the last four in Almaty but suffered a hand injury in his quarter-final win over Stefan Haertel, which ultimately ruled him out.
The decision to withdraw Fowler came after extensive discussions between the GB Boxing coaches and medical team although they were keen to stress it wasn’t a reoccurrence of an old injury.
Fowler broke a bone in his hand at the end of 2012 however his new injury is believed to be unrelated and he will have further examinations and a scan upon his return home from Kazakhstan.
He will do so with a World Championship bronze medal and, while he didn’t want to pull out, Fowler admitted it may be for the benefit of his future as a major championship fighter.
“I am absolutely gutted that I cannot compete as I have been boxing really well and feel that I could go all the way, however the coaches and the medical team have told me it is not safe to continue and I have to listen to their advice,” said Fowler.
“The injury would affect my ability to punch and I would run the risk of long-term damage, which is the last thing I want after only recently returning from six months out with a broken bone in my hand, so sadly I have had to withdraw.
“It’s been a great tournament and I feel like I have proven that I can compete at the elite level, so whilst I am disappointed now I am sure that when I look back in a few days, I will be pleased with what I have achieved here.”
© Sportsbeat 2013