By Edward Chaykovsky

Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport is still trying to finalize a deal for James DeGale (20-1, 14KOs) to face Andre Dirrell (24-1, 16KOs) on April 25th in London.

The Internal Boxing Federation ordered the two super middleweights to face each other for the vacant IBF championship, after Carl Froch vacated the title to remove the incoming pressure to make a mandated defense against DeGale.

Dirrell appears to be leaning away from his position of not facing DeGale in the UK.

“That’s under negotiation. The most important thing is that I’m willing to be a world champion, whatever it takes,” Dirrell told Sky Sports. “I’m chasing that world title, it’s been long enough. I’m ready to become world champion rightfully and I’ll be willing to do whatever it takes.”

“I’m definitely unhappy with the judges' decision last time, but that is no reason for me to be worried about coming there the second time around. I don’t want to base future situations on the past so all I have to do is come with a proper game plan and believe in myself. Wherever the fight may be, if it’s in Mars, Pluto, UK, China it doesn’t matter. I believe I’ll come out victorious.