Image credit: The Daily Mail
DeGale wants his belt back
Former IBF super middleweight champion James DeGale,23-2-1 14 KO, wants a rematch with Caleb Truax, 29-3-2 18 KO, to reclaim his title. In what was 3KingsBoxing.com’s inaugural Upset of the Year winner [link below], Truax was able to win a majority decision at Copper Box Arena back in December.
DeGale never seemed to get going so to speak, as Truax was able to have his way with the champion the vast majority of the fight. The 114-114 scorecard was just horrendous to be honest. I personally scored the bout 116-112 for the American and my card was pretty close to the majority of my fellow members in the media.
The loss was just the second of DeGale’s career and first since he lost to George Groves back in 2011. The London native was making his return to the ring after having shoulder surgery and being out almost a year.
Truax was thought to be a “tune-up” type of fight as DeGale had plans to move on to a unification bout with WBC champion David Benavidez in the near future. The Minnesota native put a halt to those and any other plans Team DeGale might of had as far as the immediate future.
DeGale said following the fight that he was going to “take time out to reflect and make some decisions going forward”. While still in the ring that night DeGale said he did not believe there was a rematch clause in the contract. Although there’s still some confusion about the situation it is now understood there was one and he will be exercising his option to an immediate rematch.
Both fighter’s are under the advisement of Al Haymon so the negotiations are expected to be smooth. Truax is on record saying he would definitely go back to the UK for a rematch if the deal was right. An agreement could be reached over the next few weeks.
By: Chris Henderson
Be the first to comment