History boy DeGale calls on Froch

JAMES DeGALE feared being on the end of a points controversy in the fi nal moments of his world title fi ght against Andre Dirrell.

The Briton dramatically carved out his own slice of history here on Saturday night as he was crowned IBF super- middleweight world champion after a gripping tussle with Dirrell, becoming the fi rst British Olympic gold medallist to win a world title.

DeGale started strongly and, despite being cut early in the second round, fl oored Dirrell twice in the same round. It then looked like it could go either way in the fi nal stages but DeGale out- punched the 31- yearold American in the fi nal two rounds to win a unanimous points decision.

“I was a little bit worried. I was looking at my trainer Jim McDonnell and he had the same face that he did after I boxed George Groves and I thought ‘ not again’. But when they announced it, it was the best feeling in the world, “said DeGale.

“I think everyone was underestimating Andre Dirrell, he’s a hell of a fi ghter. People won’t accept how good I am until I retire, when I have achieved what I have and unifi ed the titles.”

How Canadian judge Alan Davis ruled that DeGale won 117- 09 baffl ed everyone in the Agganis Arena. The other two scores of 114- 112 were spot on.

DeGale returns home today a hero – and next he wants a super- fi ght to pack out Wembley Stadium or get the O2 Arena rocking to his beat.

Carl Froch, Kazakh boxer Gennady Golovkin and bitter rival Groves, who fi ghts Badou Jack for the WBC super- middleweight title in September, are all in the Harlesden fi ghter’s sights.

DeGale said: “Who would I like next? Anyone. If Carl Froch thinks he’s that good then why doesn’t he fi ght me? I would be the perfect fi ght for him to come back. If I was Froch, I’d stay well away from me, though.

“I’d love to fi ght at Wembley again and this time headline the show instead of being chief support. That would be a dream.”