By Edward Chaykovsky
According to promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, a deal has been reached for the super middleweight unification between WBC champion Badou Jack (20-1-2, 12KOs) and IBF world champion James DeGale (23-1, 14KOs).
Hearn, who promotes DeGale, says the World Boxing Council was advised that a deal was reached between both sides and they just waiting for a date and venue to be finalized.
This is potentially the last fight for Jack at 168. He's been a career super middleweight since turning pro in 2009 and captured the WBC title last year with a twelve round decision over Anthony Dirrell.
Jack was in action back in April, when he went to a controversial twelve round draw with former IBF champion Lucian Bute. The Canadian superstar tested positive for a banned substance in a post-fight drug test, but the result has yet to be changed to a no-contest. On that same card, DeGale won a tougher than expected decision over durable Mexican contender Rogelio Medina.
Hearn was told by the WBC that the Jack-DeGale winner will have to make an immediate defense against mandatory challenger Callum Smith, who Matchroom also represents. From what Hearn has heard, the fight is going to receive a date in late November. Smith is likely going to take another stay-busy fight in the interim.
"They've had notification from both sides - that fight is made between Badou Jack and James DeGale. I think they are waiting on contracts. I'm guessing that fight will get done and the resolution will state that the winner of Badou Jack and James DeGale will have to start immediate negotiations with Callum Smith. So [Smith is] in a great situation. Again, we're waiting on dates for Jack against DeGale, rumored for the end of November. And then Callum Smith will get the winner," Hearn told BoxingScene.com's Declan Taylor.
