Lyndsey Scragg retires from boxing

Wolverhampton's first female professional boxer Lyndsey Scragg has retired - despite a last-ditch attempt to entice her into a fourth world title shot.

The three-time major world title challenger has decided to call it a day and not even the offer of a final shot at a prestigious world crown, the vacant IBF lightweight belt against Rola El Halabi in Germany on April 30, has managed to change her mind.

Scragg did win the little-known GBC super featherweight title, but a top world title always eluded her and a losing points effort at the WBO featherweight crown to Erin McGowan in Australia last October will prove to be her last fight.

The 31-year-old lost contentious points calls to WBC champion Jelena Mrdjenovich in Canada in November 2008 and against WBA title holder Kina Malpartida, despite flooring the American-based Peruvian, in California in December 2009.

In fact, in all three world title challenges Scragg has given up home advantage to the other fighter.

The gloves may have been hung up she is still training with Joby Clayton at Wolverhampton's Firewalker gym, as she has entered to compete in the London Triathlon at the end of July with her brother Michael.

Retirement puts an end to her dream of becoming a prestigious world champion but Scragg is hoping her exploits in the ring, which have made history in the city, will get her name into the Black Country museum.

She said: "I haven't made this decision likely at all and I know it's the right thing to do. I have just got other things that I want to pursue in life but I will always have boxing in my heart.

"My love of the sport is still there and I am still hungry, but I feel like I have got to use a bit of intelligence. If I go away from home and lose for another world title, I feel like I am going to lose the credibility I have left.

"I have been chasing a prestigious world title for a long time and have come so close, but I have experienced some massive highs along the way and I hope I will leave some sort of legacy in boxing.

"It's been a long journey and a great adventure but sometimes you can't make that one dream you have in your life come true."

Scragg can look back on a career that had it's moments, winning seven fights in a row after making her debut in February 2007 and lifting the GBC title on home turf at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in June 2009.

Her background in combat sports actually goes back to her teens, where she started out as a kickboxer.

She was also honoured for her achievements by the Midlands Boxing Council, who presented her with a special award at a ceremony in 2009.

Trips across the world became the norm after that while there was also the surreal experience of fighting a Big Brother contestant, Russian-born Londoner Angel McKenzie.

It's certainly never been dull and Scragg insists she retires with no regrets.

She said: "Do you know what is mad? When you experience things and you don't quite know it, because you are aspiring to do more.

"It was a special night at the Civic, probably the best of my career because my mum was there as well!

"Boxing in Canada was amazing, putting Malpartida down in California was the same and the last fight was really full on, she hit me and I staggered back then I hit her and she staggered back!

"The Midlands Boxing Awards was brilliant as well, the fact that so many people had accepted me into the sport and could see what I was trying to do."