Jeffries hangs up his gloves

Sunderland light-heavyweight Tony Jeffries has announced his retirement from professional boxing after suffering a series of hand injuries.

Sunderland light-heavyweight hadn't fought since September 2011

Tony Jeffries has announced his retirement from professional boxing. The Sunderland light-heavyweight has called it quits due to a series of hand injuries, including a hole in a knuckle, and the 27-year-old finally conceded defeat in his bid to make a comeback after one final training session. Jeffries turned pro after winning bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, managing nine wins and a draw. His last bout was in September 2011. "Today my boxing career is officially over. After injuries to both hands, I've had to accept I will not fight again," Jeffries wrote on his Facebook page. "I tried last week for the first time in 10 months, but before I even did it I knew it was going to hurt because just making a fist still hurts. I was right. "It seems I've been lying to myself for so long hoping it would get right. "I suppose I just didn't want to come to the reality of not being able to fight again. Now I'm absolutely gutted to say I have no other option."