by David P. Greisman

James DeGale hasn’t fought in his native United Kingdom in 2014. His world title win and two defenses have all come on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Now, as he looks toward a unification bout with Badou Jack, DeGale is hoping it can take place in front of his fans.

“I would like it to be in the U.K,” DeGale said after topping Rogelio “Porky” Medina by unanimous decision. “I want Eddie [Hearn, his promoter] and Leonard and Mayweather [Leonard Ellerbe and Floyd Mayweather, who promote Jack] to sort it out. It can happen. It would generate money. it would be a sellout.”

Yet at the same time, DeGale also said he’d enjoy being in Sin City, where he’s never fought before.

“I want to fight in Vegas,” DeGale said. “If you can pay me, it’s not a problem. I love boxing in America. I feel like it’s become my second home. It’s great, but I need my homecoming.”

Two of his last three fights have been in the United States: the title win over Andre Dirrell was in Boston while the Medina bout was in Washington, D.C. In-between was a fight with Lucian Bute in Quebec City.

“I would like my homecoming,” DeGale said. “The O2 or wherever sells out quick, generates money. There’d be a lot of hype. I haven’t boxed at home for a couple years, so that would be fantastic.”

Hearn acknowledged what the deciding factor would be.

“It just comes down to money. That’s what it comes down to. Always,” Hearn said. “I don’t think Badou Jack is going to want to travel, but if we come up with the right number, he will travel. It’s a unification bout for two belts, so they’ve got to be paid right, obviously. He’ll have his number that he wants in his head. It’s a case of it can be achieved.”

Said Ellerbe: “We’ll sit down and talk about it and figure it out and work it out. It’s a great fight. A unification fight is the best fighting the best. That’s what it’s all about.”

Jack soon entered the room and said he’d follow the paycheck, though going overseas wouldn’t be his first preference.

“Wherever the money is,” he said. “I don’t like to fly in airplanes. I’d rather fight in Vegas. But if the money’s there, I’ll go to London. I’m from Europe [he’s from Sweden], so why not?”

Pick up a copy of David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon or internationally at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsworldwide. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com