DeGale force EUBANK JR IS LINED UP FOR A MONEY-SPINNING CLASH
FINAL PHASE: James DeGale JAMES DeGALE and Chris Eubank Jr are in advanced talks over a mouth-watering clash in February.
Tentative discussions over the super-middleweight contest began in the summer ahead of a proposed meeting later this year. However, those talks rolled on, diaries were unable to be synchronised and the fight is now close to being confirmed for early in 2019.
The show is likely to be broadcast on ITV as part of the three-year deal the company has just signed with Haymon Sports and Premier Boxing Champions – one of the biggest boxing brands in the US, with a stable of more than 160 fighters.
In July, DeGale relinquished the IBF World super-middleweight belt he had won back from American Caleb Truax three months earlier – handing the title to next-in-line Jose Uzcategui – to start lining up money-spinning fights such as the one with Eubank Jr.
But when it became clear the battle was not going to happen until next year DeGale, known as ‘Chunky’, kept himself busy with a tune-up fight against Colombian Fidel Monterrosa Munoz in Ontario, California in September, stopping his opponent in round three.
Meanwhile, Eubank Jr, 29, lost to George Groves in the World Boxing Super Series in February but was then on standby to step in for the September final against Liverpool’s Callum Smith if Groves could not make it through injury.
Groves damaged a shoulder late on in his fight with Eubank and underwent surgery, which delayed the final.
That prompted WBSS promoter Sauerland to form a back-up in plan in case he succumbed to the injury again late in his training camp.
But Groves made the fight and Eubank ended up fighting – and beating – JJ McDonagh on the undercard in Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Confirming his decision to vacate his IBF belt in the summer, the two-time world champion DeGale, 32, said: “My team have been working very hard.
“We’ve got some very big, exciting news to announce soon.
“No world champion easily gives up their title.”
And the 2008 Olympic gold medallist added: “I’ve proudly held the IBF title in two reigns with pride and distinction, which is why it makes it a very hard decision to relinquish the belt.
“I’m in the final phase of my career where I have a few good years left where I can be involved in massive fights and really leave a legacy in the division’s history.”