IBF Super Middleweight Champion James DeGale Aiming For December Return

Since fighting former super middleweight champion Badou Jack to a draw back in January, IBF super middleweight champion James DeGale has been under the radar for months as he is recovering from numerous injuries, but now is aiming to fight before the year is over.

DeGale spoke with ESPN regarding his health status and when DeGale is expected to return to the ring. DeGale actually revealed he got a call to fight in the World Boxing Super Series’ super middleweight tournament, but needed to have surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff on his right shoulder. DeGale also has had to deal with a nose injury sustained for a good while.

“Hopefully by the end of September I’ll be able to punch, by October I’ll be able to spar again, so I’ll be back [in] December,” DeGale said. “It was serious surgery. I’m just pleased that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel because [my shoulder] is getting better, it’s feeling looser, I can do a lot more stuff with it.”

Regarding the World Boxing Super Series, DeGale admitted he wasn’t happy with having to miss out on the tournament, but he needed the time to rest and nurse his injuries. DeGale believes either Callum Smith or George Groves will win the 168-pound tournament and that DeGale wants to fight the winner of the tournament, which is expected to end in spring 2018.

“I want the winner, and I think the winner’s Groves or Smith. I want to box three times next year,” DeGale said.

DeGale has held the IBF title since beating Lucian Bute via unanimous decision back in 2015.