DeGale unlikely to get shot at Froch, could face next in line…
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James DeGale’s adviser, Ambrose Mendy, believes that his fighter could face George Groves in a highly anticipated rematch for the IBF title later this year.
DeGale (20-1, 14 KOs) has established himself as the mandatory challenger for the IBF title, currently held by Carl Froch, after impressive wins over Brandon Gonzales and Marco Antonio Periban in 2014.
The governing body recently ordered Froch to start negotiations over a defence against DeGale, but the Cobra has previously insisted that it isn’t a fight that motivates him as he holds on to the possibility of a dream Las Vegas bout against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
As a result, Froch will likely vacate the belt which in turn would see DeGale face the next available contender which is currently Gilberto Ramirez. Andre Dirrell recently won a final eliminator to face the winner of that bout, but Mendy has revealed that Ramirez has passed on the opportunity as he feels he isn’t ready yet.
That opens up the door to Dirrell, but also to Groves who is still ranked number three by the IBF, although he is also the mandatory challenger for Anthony Dirrell’s WBC belt and has made a point of following that path.
Nevertheless, Mendy is of the opinion that DeGale and Groves will meet again for the IBF belt with the former looking to avenge his loss to his long-time rival which came back in 2011.
“Right now Carl Froch still has until January 31 before he is told to fight James or they strip him of the title. Then what will happen is James will probably fight George Groves,” Mendy told Voice of Sport.
“Gilberto Ramirez has already said he doesn’t want to fight James, it’s too early for him. I know where James is mentally and it doesn’t matter who he fights next he will beat them. Ask anyone that knows anything in boxing, no one doubts James DeGale’s talent.”
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