DeGale enjoyed an impressive 2014 to become title contender…
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James DeGale’s trainer, Jim McDonnell, has told ESPN that Carl Froch is fully aware that his fighter is in the “form of his life” and that may be a factor in not fighting him.
DeGale defeated Brandon Gonzales at Wembley back in May to establish himself as the mandatory challenger for Froch’s IBF title, and he followed that impressive display with a stoppage against Marco Antonio Periban in Liverpool in November.
However, Froch is adamant that he wants to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Las Vegas next, and so DeGale may well have to settle for a clash with another contender for a vacate belt as the IBF have already ordered Froch to start negotiations or it goes to purse bids.
McDonnell believes that Froch doesn’t want to fight DeGale and he can understand why, but ultimately it is the fight that he wants to see his challenger in next.
“In my opinion, it won’t be Carl Froch who James fights next because Carl Froch doesn’t want to fight him. I don’t know why he’s still holding on to the belt if he doesn’t want to fight James next, because he will be stripped of it at the end of the month and the IBF have told him that,” McDonnell told ESPN.
“I don’t know what he’s doing. He’s never ducked a challenge in his whole career and he’s got one right in front of him now. I’m really hoping he takes the fight – he says he will fight anyone and he has, so let’s see if he changes his mind about James.
“Carl Froch wants the fight with [Julio Cesar] Chavez Jr in Las Vegas, and I can see where he’s coming from because that’s a much easier fight than DeGale. James DeGale is the best super-middleweight in the world now, period. He’s doubled his strength since he turned professional and he’s a proper athlete. This is his time.”
McDonnell went on to discuss the other possibilities if Froch decides not to fight DeGale, and he understands that Andre Dirrell, George Groves and even Rocky Fielding are all in the mix for the belt.
However, he is adamant that it doesn’t even matter who is in the opposite corner in 2015 as he is supremely confident that DeGale has the skill and talent to beat all-comers which will in turn allow him to realise his dream of becoming a world champion.
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