Eccles undergoes surgery in latest injury setback

Rosie Eccles joined the Great Britain boxing programme in 2018

Rossie Eccles has undergone surgery as she bids to recover from a second injury setback since the 2024 Olympics.

The 28-year-old controversially exited the Paris Olympics last summer following a split-decision loss to Poland's Aneta Rygielska in the women's 66kg boxing.

Despite the crushing blow, Eccles confirmed in September that she would continue to target the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

But having fractured her back while training in November, the Newport-born boxer has now needed an operation after tearing the root of the meniscus in her knee.

"For everyone who has been asking me if I am still boxing, the short answer is yes..." she wrote on Instagram.

In her post Eccles thenwent on the give "the long answer".

"Since being back in full training and making the decision to keep boxing toward one more Commonwealth and Olympic Games, in November I fractured my back in a freak accident by falling off a pull-up bar (yes, I know), which meant eight weeks of complete rest," she added.

"Then on week seven back into training, just as I started prepping for my first tournament back, I tore the root of the meniscus in my knee.

"Surgery on Thursday went well but a long recovery ahead. Beyond grateful for my amazing team and unbelievable family support around me.

"I'm currently a very useless and pretty annoying human, but I'll be back."

Speaking in September, Eccles admitted she had not closed the door on potentially competing at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"At the moment looking at LA directly is too far, it's too painful, but going forward in the future, you never know when it comes to the world of sport," Eccles told BBC Sport Wales.

Eccles won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham having won silver in the Gold Coast, Australia four years earlier.