IT'S A BARE NECESSITY FOR DEGALE

Former pro back... without gloves

- BY MARTIN DOMIN

FOR more than six years, James DeGale appeared to have pulled off the perfect retirement.

Within days of losing to Chris Eubank Jr in 2019, the Olympic gold medallist and former world champion had called it quits.

A short statement on the 10th anniversary of his professional debut conceded his body and mind could no longer cope with the rigours of the ring.

And with that, after 29 fights and a week before he turned 33, DeGale had disappeared from the boxing bubble.