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. [phone]

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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.”

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