DeGale joins Matchroom to set up potential Groves rematch

British super-middleweight contender James DeGale has put himself in line for a shot at the winner of Carl Froch and George Groves’ world title bout at Wembley Stadium after signing a promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing.

The Olympic gold medallist turned his back on Hennessey Sport after expressing frustration at how long it is taking for his career to develop, despite being the mandatory challenger for Sakio Bika’s WBC title and will face Brandon Gonzalez at Wembley.

‘Chunky’ was unbeaten in six fights under the Hennessy banner and picked up the European and WBC silver 168lb straps but after terminating his contract DeGale now has fight for the chance to face the winner of Froch v Groves in another huge domestic dust up.

With Eddie Hearn desperate to build an all-star undercard for the 31st May event, the promoter has thrown DeGale into the deep end with an IBF world title eliminator against American Gonzales.

Froch and Groves go toe-to-toe again at the end of May with the IBF and WBA world titles on the line and after putting his signature to a long-term contract to join Hearn’s ever expanding stable of fighters, DeGale can set up a lucrative bout for the world title.

Froch was the controversial victor last November when he squared off with Groves in Manchester and the Nottingham-born fighter is the 4/6 favourite with Ladbrokes for another win.

But for long spells of the fight at the Phones4U Arena the challenger was on top and was ahead on all of the judges’ scorecards when the fight was controversially stopped by referee Howard Foster.

Groves is 5/4 with the bookie to take the titles this time around and that could set up a potential grudge rematch with former amateur rival DeGale, whom he beat in the pros back in 2011 to win the British and Commonwealth crowns, should the latter come through his Gonzales test.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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