• Super-middleweight

DeGale's world title shot could be shifted to US

Nick Parkinson
February 27, 2015
James DeGale has been in training since the New Year ahead of his IBF world super-middleweight title shot © Getty Images
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James DeGale's hopes of fighting American Andre Dirrell for the vacant IBF world super-middleweight title in London on April 25 are in doubt after talks between the fighters' promoters broke down.

DeGale's promoter Eddie Hearn told the IBF he was not willing to negotiate with Dirrell's team and the governing body have said that a purse bid to stage the fight will be held on March 10.

Dirrell, 31, is unwilling to fight in England following the split-decision defeat he suffered at the hands of Carl Froch in Nottingham in 2009.

If Dirrell's adviser, the influential Al Haymon, beats Hearn with his purse bid then DeGale is likely to have to travel to America for the fight.

It was Froch's decision to give up the IBF belt earlier this month that meant mandatory challenger DeGale, 29, would instead face the highest-ranked challenger for the vacant title.

Londoner DeGale, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist, has been training for a fight date in April since the New Year after stopping his last three opponents in impressive fashion to earn his first world title shot.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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