JAMES DEGALE will consider retirement after next weekโs grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr.
The 33-year-old finally fights his long-term rival at Londonโs O2 Arena on February 23, and could then end his decorated career regardless of the outcome.
DeGale demonstrated potential signs of decline in his two fights against Caleb Truax, which came after a bruising draw with Badou Jack and has since been followed by him vacating his IBF super-middleweight title and the retirement of another rival, George Groves.
Given Groves had appeared a likely future opponent, DeGale โ who previously said that the loser of next weekโs fight will have no choice but to retire โ will have few remaining lucrative options and accepts that his career is nearing its end.
โIโm going to get this good win,โ the Olympic gold medallist told Press Association Sport. โAfter this good win Iโll maybe knock it on the head. I donโt know.
โI could go on to have another three or four fights; Iโm not too sure. Iโm in a good position where Iโm happy and content in what Iโve done with my career. Iโve left my mark. Iโm sitting nice. Iโve always said Iโm taking every fight as it comes.
โThe hunger and desire hasnโt been stronger. Iโve been training for this fight for a long, long time. Mentally Iโm ready; physically Iโm ready, Iโm healthy. Thereโs a lot of questions hanging over this fight as well, but the main one is how much have I got left? Am I declining, am I shot? Weโll see.โ
After he announced his retirement, Groves had questioned whether his decision would affect DeGaleโs motivation given his long-term desire to avenge a narrow points defeat dating back to 2011, but asked about that development, DeGale said: โI didnโt feel anything.
โI didnโt even think about it; Iโm concentrating on my fight and what I want to do. I donโt care about George Grovesโ career; heโs retired. He thought it was the right time to get out of it and heโs knocked it on the head.
โBut George Groves is a doughnut; he ainโt a nice person. I saw an interview where he said he announced his retirement then to demoralise me, and to flatten me. What kind of person does that? Heโs a weirdo.โ