DeGale announces retirement from boxing

James DeGale has announced his retirement from boxing.

Harlesden’s 2008 Olympic champion has hung up his gloves following his recent defeat against Chris Eubank Jr.

DeGale, 33, won the IBF super-middleweight title by beating American Andre Dirrell in May 2015 – becoming the first British boxer to become a world champion as a professional after winning Olympic gold. He also won the British and European titles.

Having lost the title in a shock defeat against American Caleb Truax in December 2017 and won it back in a rematch last April, he relinquished the title to focus on “massive fights” rather than mandatory defences.

However, he looked a shadow of his former self against Eubank Jr, who floored him twice on the way to a resounding points win at the 02 Arena.

It prompted DeGale to call time on his career – exactly 10 years after his professional debut.

“It’s been an unbelievable journey,” said DeGale, who won 25 and lost three of his 29 fights as a professional.

A product of the Dale Youth Boxing Club in Notting Hill, his only other loss came against his arch-rival and fellow west Londoner, Dale product and former world champion George Groves, who also recently retired.

“It’s hard to admit that I’m not the fighter I once was. I’m human and, along the way, my injuries have taken a toll – both on mind and body,” DeGale added.

“It’s been an unbelievable journey and I’ve had an amazing decade – if I’m honest, the best years of my life – and, having started boxing at the age of nine then being selected as part of the England amateurs squad, I’ve collected many memories along the way.”