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.
"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."
