DeGale still chasing Froch as IBF mandatory challenger…
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Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that James DeGale will face Marco Antonio Periban at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on November 22 as part of the undercard for Nathan Cleverly vs Tony Bellew 2.
DeGale is currently waiting to face domestic rival Carl Froch after establishing himself as the mandatory challenger for his IBF title after defeating Brandon Gonzales at Wembley back in May.
While Froch could be forced to face DeGale or vacate his belt by February as he continues to look at his options, DeGale has called on Hearn to provide him with a genuine test while he waits and that is what he now has in November.
With the likes of Anthony Joshua and Callum Smith also featuring on the bill, DeGale will be desperate to put on a show and he will undoubtedly use it as further ammunition in his bid to get his fight with Froch.
The 28-year-old has insisted for the past few years that he is “all wrong” for Froch and in a recent appearance on Ringside claimed that his rival is making every excuse not to fight him.
DeGale appears to be swaying to a more provocative role in order to get the 37-year-old to fight him, even insisting that Froch should probably swerve him in order to avoid a defeat and risk his legacy and reputation.
Nevertheless, his focus will now firmly be on November 22 in order to avoid any slip-ups which could put his place of fighting Froch next year in jeopardy.
“I think Periban is going to bring the best out of me and I’ll be ready to face Froch at The 02 on January 31,” DeGale told the media.
“It’s not about me boxing Froch, it’s about me winning a world title. Making history is what it’s about.”
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