JAMES DEGALE ANNOUNCES COMEBACK FIGHT IN WOLVERHAMPTON

James DeGale, a former IBF super-middleweight world champion, has announced his return to professional boxing. The 40-year-old will face Marcus Portman, a former English welterweight champion, in Wolverhampton on Saturday, 26 September. DeGale has not fought in professional competition since 2019, when he was defeated by Chris Eubank Jr, though he competed in a bare-knuckle contest in September.

DeGale became the first British boxer to win both an Olympic medal and a professional world title, achieving the latter in 2015 when he defeated Andre Dirrell. The forthcoming bout is not expected to receive sanction from the British Boxing Board of Control. DeGale told TalkSport that he does not intend to pursue a return to world title competition, instead expressing interest in fights against Jake Paul, KSI, Tommy Fury and other Misfits Entertainment fighters.

DeGale stated that remaining in shape and his experience since his loss to Eubank Jr have positioned him for competitive bouts. The weight class for the DeGale-Portman contest has not been confirmed. A victory could establish DeGale as a potential opponent for established Misfits fighters, according to reports.