DeGale to face Eubank Jr in domestic showdown

James DeGale will face Chris Eubank Jr on February 23.

Harlesden’s former world champion, 32, will return to the ring in a non-title super-middleweight showdown at the O2 Arena.

DeGale recently gave up the IBF title he regained by beating Caleb Truax on points in April last year, having suffered a shock defeat against the unheralded American four months earlier.

That loss was the second of DeGale’s professional career – the other was against his arch rival and fellow West Londoner George Groves.

Brighton’s Eubank Jr, 29, was soundly beaten by Groves last year when challenging for the WBA belt, which Groves subsequently lost to Callum Smith. 

DeGale declared he was: “Really excited and looking forward to being back home to a fight of this magnitude.”

The 2008 Olympic gold medallist added: “I believe Eubank doesn’t have the pedigree, the size and skill to beat me.

“Eubank is a decent fighter, but every time he has stepped up he has been found out.

“He has called my name for a long time, so now I’ve finally got my chance to zip his lips.”