James DeGale’s Return to Boxing
James DeGale, the former super middleweight boxing champion, has announced his highly-anticipated return to the fight scene after a long hiatus of six and a half years. The 39-year-old, who made history by being the first British athlete to win Olympic gold and later the IBF world title, is set to compete in a bare-knuckle bout against Matt Floyd under the banner of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).
Background and Comeback Announcement
This matchup comes on the heels of a much-publicized confrontation between the fighters earlier in the summer, which spurred discussions about DeGale’s comeback. Last seen in the ring in February 2019, when he faced Chris Eubank Jr. and suffered a defeat, DeGale took to social media to share his plans for a return, stating:
“UK, I’m back and this time the gloves are off.”
He expressed confidence in his ability, suggesting that being out of the ring for seven years has allowed him to heal both physically and mentally, thereby implying that fans will witness the best version of himself yet. DeGale has a clear intention:
“Demolition job pending. See you in the circle.”
Fight Expectations and Significance
The fight against Floyd, who has made a name for himself as a loud and controversial figure in the bare-knuckle scene after a recent win over Shane Mosley, is expected to draw significant interest, especially as BKFC aims to establish its presence in the UK boxing market. DeGale’s transition from a well-decorated boxing career to bare-knuckle fighting marks him as the most prominent UK fighter to make such a switch, providing further intrigue to the event.
Looking Ahead
As he prepares to step back into the competitive arena, the question remains whether DeGale, affectionately known as “Chunky”, will successfully adapt to this brutal form of combat. The bout is scheduled for September 27, and with the BKFC promotion growing rapidly, it promises to attract a considerable British audience eager to witness DeGale’s much-awaited comeback in a completely different fighting format. The anticipation builds for what could be one of the sport’s most compelling returns this year.
About the Author
Phil Jay has over 15 years of dedicated experience in boxing journalism, serving as the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010. His extensive accolades include interviews with world champions and reporting from ringside during pivotal boxing events.
