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Belfast Live
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Gareth Fullerton

Belfast boxer announces retirement after Commonwealth Games withdrawal

Belfast's Damien Sullivan has announced his retirement from boxing after having to withdraw from this summer's Commonwealth Games.

Sullivan revealed on social media that he had been "medically ruled out" from competing at his second Games in Birmingham.

The 29-year-old added that on the advice of his family and doctors, he has decided to hang up his gloves.

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In a statement posted on Facebook, Sullivan said: "Regrettably I have been medically ruled out from competing at my second Commonwealth Games.

"This is absolutely devastating for me as I have been away from my family for the last four months and committed so much time to this camp. Also on top of this I will be retiring from the sport of boxing.

"The last few years the injuries have been progressively getting worse for me and doctors and my family have both spoke with me and the right decision is to step away from the sport.

"This sport has gave me some of the best memories of my life. I have over achieved massively and seen the world, met some of my best friends in the world and I wouldn't change a thing.

"I gave everything I could and more and I always wore my heart on my sleeve but unfortunately my style has an expiry date and my time is up.

"My family and health will be put first. I have struggled the last week and half and have been in a bad place with everything, but I am slowly coming to terms with it all and no doubt will be feeling better soon. "

Sullivan - a former Ulster Elite champion - fought at the Gold Coast Games four years ago before flirting with the pro ranks in 2019. He had three professional fights in the space of 10 months, winning two and losing once.

The Emerald BC fighter was selected for the Birmingham Games where he was set to compete at super-heavyweight.

"To all my sponsors who helped me with this camp a massive thank you as it would have been very hard without your support. To all my coaches who have helped me over the years massive thank you," he added.

"To my team competing at the Commonwealth Games massive good luck, you can all bring back gold medals.

"We rode it until the wheels fell off quite literally."

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