Former Olympic champion Audley Harrison retired from boxing again yesterday after suffering traumatic brain injuries.

The 43-year-old was the first British fighter to win gold at the Olympics in 2004 but never quite fulfilled his potential over the past 11 years.

His last fight was a crushing defeat after 70 seconds to Deontay Wilder last April and despite attempts at a comeback through social media, Harrison has decided to hang up his gloves.

“My boxing career has come to an end,” said the 43-year-old in a statement on his official website. “I am no longer a professional boxer.

“I looked at the latest research into concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). After years of denial and sticking to my guns, I’m finally getting out of my own way. As tough as it is to say this...it’s time to stop.

“I’ve suffered a few TBIs and will have to work hard to reverse some of the effects taking punches to the head has brought about to my overall health.

“I have vision problems, vestibular injuries that leads to balance disturbances and have bouts of serious irritability and moodiness that comes with TBI recovery.”

Harrison briefly retired after the Wilder fight but made a dramatic U-turn days later.

But after much deliberation, the former European heavyweight champion feels now is the correct time to step away from the squared circle.

“So, no world title for me as a boxer but I accept that outcome as my lesson I had to learn. I was certainly talented enough to do it, but that ingredient is never enough,” he added.

by Kadeem Simmonds