Londoner finally ended his wait to become a world champion in May 2017 when he defeated Fedor Chudinov with a sixth-round stoppage at Bramall Lane in Sheffield which he (Groves) described as “without doubt the best moment of my career”.
It was the fourth time of asking for Groves after he twice lost to fellow Briton Carl Froch and was defeated by then WBC champion Badou Jack via a split decision in September 2015.
Groves’ reign as WBA (super) strap holder lasted two defences before his seventh-round defeat against Callum Smith in last September’s World Boxing Super Series final.
‘Saint’ had been linked with comeback fights, but he has now revealed that he will hang up his gloves with immediate effect while he is still “young, fit and healthy”.
Groves added in his statement: “I have a young family at home; it’s time to spend some of my better days with them. I don’t want there to be a time where I’m ‘too old’ to box on, or where an injury retires me in or out of the ring.
“Over the years I have seen and sadly known the dangers of the sport, and I want to respectfully bow out while I’m at the top of my game. “I’ve learned that doesn’t always mean coming off the back of a win.
I’ve boxed at the highest level, all over the world, I’ve been a champion, and I’ll be leaving the sport (relatively!) intact.”
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