By Aaron Cooper: James DeGale will finally get his shot at the vacant IBF World Super-Middleweight title against Andre Dirrell on May 23rd in Boston, Massachusetts.

James is hoping to make history by coming the first boxer from Great Britain to win Olympic Gold and a professional world title.

The fight is taking place in Boston due to Roc Nation winning the purse bid. DeGale had hoped to have the fight in his home town of London at the O2 arena in what would have clearly been a bigger event than the fight being held stateside.

DeGale became the mandatory challenger to the IBF crown, vacated by fellow Brit Carl Froch by knocking out American Brandon Gonzales in 4 rounds on the Froch/Groves 2 undercard last year.

Dirrell’s has arguably only had 2 fights at world level, one ending with a split decision defeat to Carl Froch in Nottingham in 2009 in which although he clearly had Froch troubled on a number of occasions simply didn’t not do enough to justify the judges giving him the win in the champs back yard. His second fight ended in disqualification victory against Arthur Abraham. The fight against London’s DeGale will be only his seventh fight in 5 years.

DeGale told Sky Sports News HQ: “Dirrell’s a very, very good opponent – he’s only lost the one fight to Froch where a lot of people thought he’d won.

“He’s tall, tricky southpaw – a bit like me. A lot of people say our styles will clash, but I think they’re going to gel. There’s a lot on the line – a world title – we’re both hungry, young and ambitious. I think it’s going to be a hell of a fight.”

Whilst Dirrell will have the home advantage, I would argue this really is a pick em fight. Both have a great boxing pedigree, both are hungry and both are slick operators with the power to knock the other out.

If I were a betting man, my money would be on DeGale, he really has come on leaps and bounds since his defeat to George Groves back in 2011 and is showing the tenacity, power and skill many thought he was capable of after winning Olympic gold.

Should he be victorious then he has several potentially huge fights in the UK as his first defense with Carl Froch, a rematch with George Groves or a fight against one of our up and coming super middleweights in Calum Smith or Rocky Fielding to cut his teeth on.

“Please God I go over to America and win my world title, and then I’m willing to fight anyone. I’ve always said I’m in boxing for the big fights and the big paydays, so I’m ready to fight anyone.