DeGale leaves Hennessy Sports

By melo - 04/04/2014 - Comments

degale5By Daven: Earlier this evening James DeGale raised eyebrows by confirming on twitter that he’d terminated his promotional deal with big Mick Hennessy. If this news had broken last month, or even last week, there wouldn’t have been too much shock considering the frustration Chunky has endured; however the fact that Hennessy has just secured James the mandatory position for the WBC super- middleweight championship adds mystery to the situation.

After all it was only four days ago that the WBC confirmed DeGale’s shot at Sakio Bika after the long delay. No doubt James benefited from the fact that Julio Chavez Jr who had been touted as the mandatory, was  instead in negotiations with team Gennady Golovkin for a bout in the summer.

DeGale does have good reason for leaving and I personally think he’s been tapped up by Matchroom. Eddie Hearn in a recent interview to IFL TV told Kugan Cassius in no uncertain terms that he wanted to put on “mega” domestic fights ahead of international contests. DeGale’s name was mentioned more than once in relation to him maybe fighting the winner of Groves-Froch II. James perhaps has an eye on getting an opportunity to shine on the Wembley card on May 31st, Hearn when interviewed by Cassius let it be known that he was struggling to formulate a solid under card.

If you’re James DeGale would you rather fight Bika in a 3,000 arena in Bristol under the Hennessy banner? Or would one opt to join Matchroom where your two biggest domestic rivals are and where the money’s at? It’s a no brainer considering the job Eddie Hearn has done in getting mass exposure for his fighters; although a world title opportunity would mean a lot to any fighter, the chance to fight on a potential super card at the national football stadium with a guarantee of fighting the winner of the main event later in the year trumps it.

If DeGale does sign for Matchroom, does it symbolize that Hearn is concerned about Froch’s chances on May 31st? One could argue that signing James up is a smart move anyway but Carl is no spring chicken now and maybe Eddie is being extremely prudent here. Should Groves win, Hearn will lose another world champion following Burns. It’s pivotal to note that Groves is not a member of the Matchroom stable so if he prevails he would be left to his own devices.

With DeGale on side though it ensures that Hearn and his promotion get to stage another monumental fight. People tend to forget that chunky has been a pay-per-view fighter once before and definitely has the personality to generate serious money. Picture the likely scenario that DeGale signs for Matchroom this week, his profile will instantly increase and he would no doubt be added to the May 31st card. Furthermore most people, I’d estimate 70-30 believe Groves will conquer the cobra, in the aftermath DeGale can call him out straight away and the public interest will naturally explode. I mean come on, the first fight the two Londoners has in 2011 was huge for two rookies, this one will be five times bigger.

Matchroom could of course stage DeGale vs Bika as the the chief support for May 31st. Personally I wouldn’t be too interested in seeing this fight as neither have crowd friendly styles. But potentially this could lead to a big unification fight again under Hearn’s banner later this year. Lastly it is integral to note that Eddie has made it abundantly evident of his wish to hold at least one additional world title fight other than the main event. Bika- DeGale might just be the one, who else realistically would make it? Rose and Brook are fighting for belts in the summer and Burns is returning in June. Additionally Mitchell will be in an eliminator. All in all I see no other contenders with a shout.

Of course as of now,talk of DeGale to Matchroom is mere speculation but where else would he go? No, I expect chunky to move to Matchroom, this would continue Hearn’s reign as the number one boxing promoter, in Britain at least. It would also ensure that none of the Brits would have to take on Andre Ward any time soon.



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