JAMES DEGALE has announced that, despite more than six years out of the ring, he will return to the world of combat sports next month.
Only, instead of lacing up his gloves and stepping back through the ropes in the traditional sense, the 39-year-old intends to make his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) debut on September 27.
His comeback fight, which will take place at the Manchester Arena – headlining a card stacked top to bottom with influencers and club-level bruisers – was revealed via social media earlier today.
“UK I’m back,” the former world champion wrote on Instagram.
“This time the gloves are off. Everyone [has been] asking what version you’re getting… [six] years out, body healed, mind sharp — it’s the best one yet. Demolition job pending. See you in the circle.”
DeGale’s last outing, where he lost a points decision against Chris Eubank Jr in 2019, delivered a drastically faded version of the once razor-sharp southpaw.
Yet somehow, ‘Chunky’ seems to believe that in his next assignment, against unremarkable Aussie boxer Matt Floyd, is likely to bring a different animal out of him.
Either way, DeGale remains far removed from the IBF super-middleweight champion who, particularly against the likes of Lucian Bute and Badou Jack, showcased every facet of his world-class skill set.
Floyd, meanwhile, has never competed anywhere near the level of a prime DeGale, yet has nonetheless built his profile as a notable figure on the ‘influencer boxing’ scene.
In the ring, though, the 36-year-old has amassed a relatively uninspiring professional record of 15-2 (10 KOs), with all of his wins arriving against obscure opposition.
But despite his lack of credentials, ‘The Jedi’ created plenty of hype when, around a month ago, he dashed a cup of water in DeGale’s face.
That altercation, it seems, has inspired the pair to settle their differences in a BKFC encounter.
