James DeGale, the first British boxer to win an Olympic gold medal, also won British, European and International titles and two-time world champion has announced his retirement.
The 33-year-old lost on a unanimous points decision to Chris Eubank Jr in London on Saturday.
“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…” said DeGale, who won 25 and lost three of his 29 fights as a professional.
“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. Today marks 10 years since my professional debut fight on 28 February 2009,” said DeGale.
DeGale beat American Andre Dirrell on points to claim the vacant IBF super-middleweight belt in May 2015. He lost his title in December 2017 but won it back in an April rematch with American Caleb Truax.
However three months after, he gave up the belt in July 2018 to focus on chasing massive fights rather than facing mandatory defences. DeGale said: “No world champion easily gives up their World title that they’ve earned the hard way in the ring and I’ve proudly held the IBF World title in two reigns with pride and distinction which is why it makes it very hard decision to relinquish the belt. I’m in the final phase of my career where I have a few good years left where I can be involved in massive fights and really leave a legacy in the division’s history.”
After relinquishing his belt he went on to fight twice, In September 2018, DeGale stopped journeyman Fidel Muñoz in the round 3 to record his first stoppage win in 6 fights dating back to November 2014. He then lost by a unanimous points decision to Chris Eubank Jr in London in February 2019.
DeGale love for sports goes beyond boxing as he is a big Arsenal fan and frequently fought with the Arsenal F.C. Club logo on his robe and shorts.
As of February 2019, DeGale is ranked as the world’s sixth-best active super-middleweight by The Ring magazine, seventh by BoxRec, and tenth by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.
