What's next for James DeGale after title win over Andre Dirrell?
BOSTON - James DeGale stood proudly in a locker room at Agganis Arena on Saturday about an hour after winning his first world title.
The Brit still sported the effects of his grueling 12-round bout with Andre Dirrell: a gash along his right eyelid, bruises covering his face and red marks abound. But DeGale couldn't wipe the smile off his face after making history, becoming the first British man ever to claim a championship after earning Olympic gold.
With Dirrell in the rearview, DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs) plans to make his first title defense in September or October in England, and naturally, he wants the biggest fights the sport has to offer.
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"Possibility if (Gennady Golovkin) wants it. I think he wants to clear up on the middleweight scene first, but I'm here, I'm ready. Huge fight," DeGale told Paste BN Sports. "I've seen weaknesses in him. Seen him against that (Willie) Monroe, he don't really like southpaws and he's small for the weight as well, he's about 5-foot-10.
"He's not that big for the weight and I think that's when he's going to be tested, when he moves up in weight, but he's an unbelievable fighter, real good fighter."
GGG is in preliminary talks to fight DeGale's countryman, Carl Froch, at 168 pounds, so a bout at the weight is plausible. Froch may opt for retirement, though, and a bout between Golovkin and DeGale would do big business overseas.
DeGale's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, believes the newly crowned champ will secure a notable matchup regardless.
"He'd fight Andre Ward tomorrow; it's a fight that can happen," said Hearn, who also oversees the career of Froch. "You got Froch, if he fights again, and possibly Groves, if Groves can beat Badou Jack, it's a massive fight between the two at Wembley next year. But we've got to find the right opponent for September or October for his first defense."
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Hearn said DeGale, 29, is more likely to move down in weight then up the scales, and would consider meeting Golovkin at a catchweight "if the money was right."
DeGale will take two weeks off then jump back into the gym for training. He admitted that he let Dirrell back into the fight over the second half, but gave his opponent credit and said he couldn't be "reckless against him." The 29-year-old would grant Dirrell a rematch, but wants "to move on for now."
"I want to fight the elite," he said. "(Dirrell) is elite but I want to box fighters with titles."
"Chunky" feels that Ward, Froch and Groves won't fight him, and if Jack gets past Groves, he said he would "embarrass" the Swede.
It's unclear whom DeGale will get in the ring come fall, but rest assured, he's gunning for the money matchups.
"I want to box the big names so whoever's out there … I'll fight them."