Crossword Genius

Love women in boxing match to withdraw gracefully (3,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bow out

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'withdraw gracefully' is the definition.
'bow out' can be an answer for 'withdraw' (synonyms). I am not certain of the 'gracefully' bit.

'love women in boxing match' is the wordplay.
'love' becomes 'o' (love means zero in tennis).
'women' becomes 'w' (standard abbreviation).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'boxing match' becomes 'bout' (I've seen this before).
'o'+'w'='ow'
'ow' inserted inside 'bout' is 'BOW OUT'.

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bow out that I've seen before include "Retire from the scene with bodily gesture of acknowledgement?" , "Withdraw from a situation" , "Retire gracefully" , "Exit; retire" , "What a string player often gets" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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