Audley Harrison, the 2000 Olympic super-heavyweight
champion, has announced his retirement from boxing for a second time
due to problems associated with head injuries.
Harrison was flattened in 70 seconds by Deontay Wilder in
April 2013 and confirmed he was hanging up his gloves a matter of days later
only to make a U-turn soon after.
However, Britain's first fighter to win Olympic gold in the
heaviest weight category has not fought since, despite hints on social media
that he would resume his career.
"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."
Harrison admitted that his decision has been prompted by research into head injuries
he has suffered as a result of the punishing blows he took during his 38-bout
professional career.
He added: "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 did not translate his standout amateur career into success in
the paid ranks - although he captured the European heavyweight title and fought
fellow Londoner David
Haye for a world title in 2010, when he was stopped inside three rounds.
Harrison, who was most recently on the latest version of Celebrity Big
Brother, retires with a record of 31 wins and seven defeats.
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