James DeGalereturns to Birmingham a week on Saturday to face fellow Brit Carl Dilks, looking to silence some of the harsh, if ignorant boos he was subjected to in his first professional bout early last year.
DeGale's seven fight unbeaten run since turning pro has allowed him to ambitiously seek a British title before the turn of the year; victory against Dilks as part of the 'Magnificent 7' bill on September 18will reposition him one step closer to the domestic crown, with promoter Frank Warren deeming the fight "an eliminator for the British title".
DeGale, 24, has transformed as a fighter from his unconvincing points victory over Vepkhia Tchilaia in his first professional bout, displaying progressively cerebral performances and subsequently recording some impressive stoppages thereafter.
Given his notably swift development, Warren has tipped him to succeed both domestically and internationally. "I expect him to go on and win a British title and the first of many in his quest to go on and win a world title" Warren told Sky Sports News.
Also established on the Magnificent 7 card will be undefeated British Light-middleweight Nathan Cleverly, fighting Karo Murat for the Interim WBO title, Enzo Macarinelli's first defence of his European Cruiserweight title against Alexander Frenkel and Matthew Macklin challenging Shalva Jomardashvili for the vacant European Middleweight title.
The showdown between Sam Sexton and Derek Chisora - as two British Heavyweights - will now act as a precursor to the news that David Haye has finally named Audley Harrison as the second challenger to his WBA title, as reported by sportsvibe last month, and finally confirmed this morning after weeks of speculation.
The showdown, set for November 13 at Manchester's MEN arena, will be eagerly anticipated as the biggest all-British world heavyweight title fight since Lewis-Bruno at Cardiff Arms Park in 1993. The fight harbours elements of bitterness, with an argument over undercards several years ago resulting in Haye claiming that "At one stage I had a lot of respect for Audley, but over the years that respect has turned into disdain".
Haye's initial reluctance to square up to fellow Londoner Harrison left the potential match-up in jeopardy; though with all remaining alternatives including the Klitschko brothers ruled out, Harrison promptly vacated his European title to ensure the clash was arranged.
Any unification showdown with either WBC reigning champion Vitali Klitschko or his brother, WBO and IBF king Wladimir, will have to wait until 2011 at the earliest.
James DeGale is sponsored by Lonsdale.
For more information visit www.lonsdaleboxing.co.uk
