James DeGale Signs Advisory Pact With Al Haymon

By Terence Dooley

 

London’s James DeGale took to Twitter today to announce that he has joined forces with high-powered boxing adviser Al Haymon. 

The announcement comes six weeks after DeGale claimed the IBF Super middleweight title, outpointing Andre Dirrell in late May. The bout took place on NBC in the United States as part of Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions series.

 

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom guided DeGale to the IBF mandatory title challenge, building on the work done by DeGale's former promoters Frank Warren and Mick Hennessy. However, he lost out on the fight when Warriors Boxing—one of several promoters whose services are regularly utilized by Haymon—bid $3.1 million to bring it to America.

 

DeGale won a Gold Medal at the 2008 Olympic Games; he made history by becoming the first British fighter to win a professional title after netting Olympic Gold.  The 29-year-old’s preferred target is former titlist Carl Froch, but “The Cobra” has yet to make a decision about what he will do next.

 

“Delighted to announce I've joined forces with Al Haymon.  Great things ahead of me,’ tweeted DeGale, but there was no mention of where this leaves him and Hearn, who promoted two of his fights prior to the Dirrell bout.  "I am thrilled and delighted," he added via a statment.  "Exciting times ahead."

A source close to DeGale informed BoxingScene of Haymon's role and that the doors are "wide open" for Matchroom to work with DeGale via Haymon Sports.