IBF super middleweight champion James DeGale (23-1-1, 14 KOs) has revealed that he will undergo surgery on his right shoulder - which is going to push back his next world title defense.
The current mandatory challenger to his belt is Andre Dirrell.
DeGale has been out of the ring since January, when he fought to a twelve round draw with then WBC champion Badou Jack at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
DeGale suffered several injuries during fight with Jack, but says the shoulder injury took place even before that contest took place. After surgery, he hopes to return to the ring by the end of the year.
Even with the injuries, DeGale said he was close to a deal to fight undefeated Callum Smith - but Smith targeted the WBC title after Jack vacated the belt for a move to the light heavyweight division. Smith will now face Anthony Dirrell for the vacant belt in September.
"I was very close to fighting with Callum Smith this summer," DeGale told The Mirror: We had agreed to fight on July 1 at The O2, but in the end he decided to go down the WBC route and will challenge for the vacant world title later this year.
"I'm confident I would have won the fight, even with the injury, but it would have been his best chance of beating me. The operation is for 'a scrape and tighten up', or a 'diagnostic arthroscopy and ACJ stabilisation' to give it its medical term. It is being carried out in Manchester by Professor Lennard Funk, who is the best shoulder specialist in the country and one of the best in the world.
"My arm will be in a sling for a few days and I'll be given exercises to do on my own. A few weeks later, I'll start my rehab with my physio and within eight to 10 weeks I should be able to spar. I will definitely be able to fight before the end of the year."