LONDON CALLING

PROMOTER Eddie Hearn hopes James DeGale and Lee Selby will make second defences of their world titles at the O2 Arena on April 9. Both DeGale and Selby – IBF super-middleweight and featherweight champs respectively – have had their careers guided by American boxing advisor Al Haymon. The pair last fought on the other side of the Atlantic and are waiting to learn when they will make mandatory defences of their titles. Londoner DeGale, 29, is due to face little-known Venezuelan Jose Uzcategui after having his last two fights in America and Canada. Welshman Selby, 28, will defend his belt against American Eric Hunter after last fighting in Arizona three months ago. Hearn hopes Selby and DeGale will be part of the bill on April 9 which also includes unbeaten heavyweight Anthony Joshua, who is being lined up to face Dereck Chisora. He said: “April 9 at the O2 Arena in London is a perfect home for both of those fights but we are running out of time because we are building up that card already. “Al Haymon will have his strategy and if they want to come to the UK I will promote it. If they don’t, I will co-promote it and it will be shown on Sky from the US. “I would really like to see Lee Selby and James DeGale fight over here next because if they continue to box in North America, they may as well forget about the UK market. “They will lose momentum if they don’t fight next in the UK but unfortunately it’s not up to me, it’s up to the fighter. “It’s good money over there and you can’t knock it but if you are going to develop in the UK market, they have to show their faces over here too.”

NICK PARKINSON