Adrian Roach has been forced to withdraw from the World Amateur Boxing Championships as he continues to recover from injury.

Roach had hoped he would be fit to compete at the championships in Uzbekistan, which start on Sunday, after struggling for the past month with recurring issues in both shoulders made worse by a double dislocation while competing in a competition in Nassau, Bahamas.

While Roach is adamant he would still have liked to step into the ring, he has been forced to concede defeat on the advice of his coaches after failing to recover in time.

“I’m pretty upset, I was looking forward to competing at the World Championships, but I’ve been told it was in my best interests to withdraw,” said Roach, who will also miss the Epic Entertainment Fight Night Champion at The Shed, in Dockyard, on May 27.

“I know it is for the best but it still leaves a sour taste because I can’t help but think what would have happened had my shoulders held up and I could have fought.

“It’s been a recurring issue with both shoulders since 2018, but they were particularly bad in Bahamas. I hadn’t been sparring at all in the lead-up to the competition and then I managed to dislocate both shoulders and also did damage to the ligaments and cartilage.

“Obviously, that wasn’t ideal at all because I could feel the pain, but it was just a will to fight and wanting to perform that got me through.

“I’m disappointed that I’ve had to withdraw but at the end of the day the decision has been made and I have to accept it, so I will just continue on with the rehab.”

Roach is well aware of the greater significance of getting back to full fitness ahead of a crucial period in which he aims to fulfil his ambition of qualifying for the Olympics.

Roach will aim to be in peak condition in time for the Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador, El Salvador, in June and July, which will act as a vital tune-up for the pivotal Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, in October and November, which represent his first opportunity to seal his place in Paris next year.

“Obviously I would have loved to have gone to the world Championships, but deep down I know that it is more important that I’m ready for the CAC Games and Pan American Games because they are what is most important towards getting to the Olympics,” he added.

“I’ve had to have a complete month off and only returned to training last week. I feel good, but I know I need to do everything I can to make sure I’m fully recovered.

“With stress injuries I know I have to give it the time it needs to heal. I know I’m taking the right steps towards making sure the shoulders are in good condition because I need to be at my best for those events. Hopefully, I’ll be back stronger than before.”