Promoter vows to deliver DeGale title fight

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Promoter Mick Hennessy has responded to James DeGale’s discontent by vowing to do all he can to secure a world title fight for the Harlesden man.

DeGale, who successfully defended his WBC silver super-middleweight title against American Dyah Davis on Saturday, is frustrated at his apparent lack of progress since signing with Hennessy last year.

To make matters worse for the 27-year-old, his rival and fellow West Londoner George Groves will take on champion Carl Froch in a world title clash in Manchester this weekend.

But Hennessy insists he is capable of delivering big fights for DeGale in the new year.

“No-one wants that world title fight to happen more than me. I don’t want James to keep treading water,” he told West London Sport.

“I’m going to do my utmost. Absolutely every which way I’m going to try and nail down a world title fight for him.

James DeGale and George Groves
DeGale and Groves could meet again

“I’ve got a proven track record for it and I’m going to put that track record to the test.”

DeGale, who narrowly lost to Groves on points in 2011, has been touted as a possible future opponent for the winner of Saturday’s all-British showdown.

The more likely option seems to be a final eliminator against Mexico’s Marco Antonio Periban for a shot at the WBC’s world champion Sakio Bika.

But Hennessy, formerly Froch’s promoter, believes DeGale is capable of beating the Nottingham fighter were they to meet.

“I’d prefer him to fight the winner of Froch-Groves and then have a big unification fight with Andre Ward,” Hennessy said.

“Carl Froch is a great fighter – determined and strong – but the way to beat him is with hand speed, skill and movement.

“James has got all those things and I do believe he has the ability to beat Froch were they to fight.

“That’s the preferred route but sometimes you’ve got to take what you can get.”

Hennessy added: “I don’t think James should have taken a world title fight earlier – definitely not.

“You’ve got to get the right time, when he’s had the right experience, to go into a world title fight.

“I can understand James’ frustration, but sometimes patience is a virtue.”

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