DeGale-Dirrell Possible For April 25th, Says Hearn

By Edward Chaykovsky

According to promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, Olympic gold medal winner James DeGale (20-1, 14 KOs) is potentially going to fight for the vacant IBF super middleweight title, against Andre Dirrell (24-1, 16 KOs), on April 25th from the O2 Arena in London.

DeGale is the mandatory challenger to current IBF champion Carl Froch. Hearn, who promotes both fighters, does not expect Froch to face DeGale.

Froch recently stated that he won't fight DeGale and plans to return to the ring in June - against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Froch also holds the WBA's regular title at super middleweight.

Hearn, speaking with reporter Nick Parkinson, said he expects the IBF to order the top two contenders, DeGale and Dirrell, to face each other for the IBF crown - once Froch makes an official decision to vacate the belt.