Hearn is expected to announce title fight for DeGale…
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Promoter Eddie Hearn has scheduled a press conference on Tuesday February 3 at 11.30 to announce James DeGale’s super-middleweight title shot.
It is expected that Hearn will announce that current IBF title-holder Carl Froch will vacate the belt, giving DeGale a shot against another contender.
Froch has made no secret of his desire to fight in Las Vegas, but frustratingly he was forced to pull out of a bout with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr due to an elbow injury with Hearn suggesting that a deal had been struck.
It is expected that the WBA and IBF champion will return to the ring in the summer, but with no motivation to defend his belt against mandatory challenger DeGale, he will opt to vacate the belt instead of requesting a medical exception.
As a result, that will hand DeGale the opportunity to make history in becoming the first British Olympic gold medallist to become a world champion, and it is widely acknowledged that he will fight on April 25 at the O2 Arena in London.
Press conference tomorrow 11.30 for 12 at Trinity House, Tower Hill with @jamesdegale1 all welcome #andthenew #history
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) February 2, 2015
There is still a degree of mystery surrounding his opponent, although it is expected to be the IBF’s No.2 ranked fighter, Andre Dirrell.
Gilberto Ramirez was also in the running but DeGale’s adviser, Ambrose Mendy, suggested last month that he had spoken to their camp and they gave him the impression that they didn’t feel the young Mexican was ready for the fight just yet.
That in turn opened the door to Dirrell who established himself as the next in line, while Mikkel Kessler had been talked about but those reports were false given that the Dane announced his retirement on the weekend.
In addition, there is also the possibility of a rematch with George Groves, as although he is the mandatory challenger for the WBC title, currently held by Anthony Dirrell, Hearn has made no secret of his desire to set that fight up.
The Matchroom promoter even invited fans to RT for DeGale or Favourite his tweet for Groves to win in their second bout.
Timeline blowing up..where would your money be? RT for @StGeorgeGroves or FAV for @jamesdegale1
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) February 2, 2015
Regardless of the speculation, the future will become clearer for DeGale on Tuesday as Hearn will officially announce the date, venue and his opponent for the IBF super-middleweight world title.
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