GALE FIZZLES OUT WITH LITTLE FUSS

A DEVASTATED James Degale is ready to quit boxing after admitting he cannot explain the shock loss of his world title.

A limp display against Caleb Truax on Saturday night brought an abrupt end to his two-and-a-half-year reign as champion. And the Olympic gold medalist said he could walk away after suffering the second majoritydecision defeat of his pro career.

“I’m devastated with my performance and feel like I’ve let everyone down – myself, my family, friends and fans,” Degale (above) said. “I don’t want to be in any position other than No.1 so I’m going to take some time out to reflect before I make some decisions.”

Degale, 31, had expected a routine victory to propel him back into high-profile fights in the new year.

He was desperate to avenge his 2011 defeat by bitter rival George Groves, while Chris Eubank Jr and Callum Smith were other lucrative domestic dust-ups. But instead he faces a rocky road back to the summit – that’s if he decides to continue.

He added: “That was not the

James Degale you’re used to seeing and I will have to go back to the drawing board and analyse what went wrong because I should not have lost to Caleb Truax (inset).

“While I commend Truax for coming to Britain and putting on a career-best performance, I know that I’m leagues above him. For whatever reason I just didn’t perform in there on the night and I’m at a loss to explain why.”

Degale had been absent from the ring for 11 months following his draw with Badou Jack.

He had extensive shoulder surgery in the summer and only resumed punching in late October.

The Londoner, who was admitted to hospital on Saturday with burst blood vessels in his nose, insisted:

“My shoulder held up fine. I’m not going to make any immediate decisions – I’ll take some time out.”