TONY Jeffries has been forced to announce his retirement from boxing because of a chronic hand injury.

Sunderland-born Jeffries, who won an Olympic bronze medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, has struggled with hand problems for a number of years, but the situation became more acute in the wake of his most recent fight last September.

The Wearsider had surgery to repair a hole in his right knuckle and a tear in his left hand, but the operation failed to solve the problem.

He has consulted a number of specialists in the United States, and even tried a new procedure that involved him being injected with blood cells from the bone marrow in his hip.

However, he has been unable to return to full fitness and revealed his retirement on his Facebook page yesterday morning.

Jeffries said: “Today my boxing career is officially over. After injuries to both hands, I've had to accept I will not fight again.

“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.

“I've had the best support I could wish for from my mam, wife Sarah, sisters Sarah and Lucy and my trainers, Tommy Brookes, Joe Dunbar and Sean Casey. Their support has meant the world to me.

“I get asked loads of times every day, 'How's your hands doing?' It's great so many people care and want to see me in the ring again, but it's not great having nothing good to say back. So I'm sad to say at the age of 27 I will be retiring from the ring.”

Jeffries, who is now based in Los Angeles, enjoyed a hugely successful amateur career, winning seven national titles, five European medals and the Olympic bronze that prompted him to turn professional.

The former Sunderland ABC fighter retires with a pro record of nine wins and one draw, a sequence that is an inadequate reflection of his potential.

“If when I started boxing aged ten someone asked if I would settle for half of what I have done, I would have said yes,” said Jeffries. “I was undefeated as a professional and really helped bring pro boxing in the North-East back onto the map.

“I travelled the world and even met the Queen! Probably my biggest achievement, though, is helping raise well over £200k for charity. I'm really honoured to have done all this.”