Vikings in a lifeboat

Road warrior James quits as he says ‘I’ve nothing left to prove’

HISTORY-MAKER James Degale claims he has quit because he has nothing left to prove.

Degale, 33, has hung up his gloves as he said he would after his defeat to Chris Eubank junior on Saturday (below) and says he is content with his career.

He will go down as one of our greats and became the first British boxer to win Olympic gold (right) and a world title when he claimed the IBF supermiddleweight belt against Andre Dirrell in 2015.

He became a two-time world champion when he reclaimed the IBF crown against Caleb Truax in 2018 and is proud that all four of his world title wins came across the Atlantic.

“I’m proud to say I made history as the first British Olympian boxer to turn professional and win a world title,” said Degale, who announced his retirement on the 10th anniversary of his professional debut.

“I am also proud to have been a road warrior, to travel wherever I needed to be to fight and to win. There’s nothing left to prove. It’s been an unbelievable journey and I’ve had an amazing decade, the best years of my life, and having started boxing at the age of nine.”

Degale, who finishes with a record of 25-3-1, will also be remembered for his rivalry with George Groves and he suffered his first pro loss to his great adversary.

The Londoner, who stuck with trainer Jim Mcdonnell throughout his career, struggled with a shoulder injury towards the end of his career and needed surgery in 2017.

And he admits his body could not take more punishment.

“It’s hard to admit I’m not the fighter I once was,” he said.

“My injuries have taken a toll on mind and body and these things have contributed to impact on my performance in the ring.

“I lost the fight on

Saturday at

The O2, but I’m touched to have a good send-off from the fans in my home city. The day after the fight, someone said to me that one fight does not determine a legacy.

“If someone had told me at the start of my boxing career I would become an Olympic gold medallist, British and European champion and two-time world champion, I would never have believed them.

“I’d like to think I did it the clean, honest and hard way with discipline and respect.” WIDNES VIKINGS’ future is close to being assured after the club’s administrators agreed a deal with a local consortium last night.

The agreement is still subject to RFL board approval, but is expected to be fully confirmed today.

That should mean the Vikings’ Championship game against Featherstone on Sunday goes ahead – but the club will be docked 12-points.

The backroom staff were yesterday handed redundancy notices and youngsters Sam Walters and Jarrod O’connor are set to join Leeds.

But the new board – including representatives from the fans who raised more than £100,000 to save the club – will hope to rebuild quickly.