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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo announces retirement from professional boxing

Anthony Ogogo celebrates victory over Frane Radnic of Croatia at The O2 Arena in 2016 (Picture: Getty Images)

Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo has announced his retirement from professional boxing.

The 30-year-old, who claimed middleweight bronze at London 2012, had his last fight in October 2016 when he was beaten by fellow Briton Craig Cunningham, the only defeat of his 12-bout pro career. Ogogo sustained a fractured eye socket in the contest.

Ogogo said in a lengthy statement on Twitter on Monday: "Sadly, after seven operations on my eyes in two-and-a-half years, I am forced to admit that they are too damaged for me to safely return to the boxing ring. With a heavy heart, I have to retire from professional boxing with my dreams unfulfilled.

"I'm grateful that I've been blessed enough to do what I've loved to do for the last 18 years. I could be bitter at having my career cut down whilst I'm in the prime of my life. A devastating succession of injuries prevented my professional career from taking off and now I'll never get the chance to realise my true potential and show the world what I truly had in the locker. Plagued with thoughts of what I could have been are enough to make a man bitter.

Ogogo won bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games in London (AP)

"I choose to be better. I can be a better person learning from everything I've been through. It's inspired me to be more humble, thoughtful and an all round stronger person. It's also made me realise I have the platform to encourage others fighting their own battles to keep going. This will not define me; this will be the making of me."

Ogogo said he had been "injured for a combined period of six years and four months as a result of: three shoulder dislocations, shattered eye sockets, broken bones and damaged ligaments and tendons" and had undergone 17 operations overall.

He added: "I'm walking away from this sport a healthy man. My eyes are damaged and I cannot box, but walking away now will mean that I will one day be able to read to my children.

"I've been through a lot in my career. I've had 17 operations and suffered every pain imaginable. I've won, lost, cried and hurt. But if you were to ask me would I do it again? In a heartbeat. I love this game."

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