James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jnr will finally meet inside the ring in their super-middleweight clash on 23 February.
Eubank has been a voice in DeGale’s ear for most of his professional career.
As a relative novice back in his emerging years in the sport, the Brighton fighter would talk up a meeting with Chunky, who was too busy making inroads to world level after coming back from a controversial decision defeat to George Groves back in 2011.
DeGale was en route to becoming a force at super-middleweight, winning the IBF title from Andre Dirrell in May 2015 before a shock defeat to Caleb Truax after almost a year away from the ring in December in 2017.
While he took the belt back in a rematch in April last year, questions remain whether the Londoner’s best days are now behind him.
Eubank finds himself in a similar quandary. The 29-year-old was so comprehensively beaten by George Groves in the World Boxing Super Series final last year he was urged by many to rethink how he prepares for his fights – namely by bringing aboard an elite trainer to work alongside him in camp.
Eubank is determined to return to world level. DeGale stands in his way with hopes of proving he doesn’t belong there.
Here's what you need to know ahead of DeGale vs Eubank...
Date, UK start time and venue
DeGale and Eubank Jnr will meet at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday February 23.
Full details of the card are to be announced in due course but a regular prime time slot at around 10pm GMT is expected.
TV channel and live stream
ITV Box Office will have exclusive coverage of the fight as part of the deal between ITV and Haymon Sports and Premier Boxing Champions which was announced at the end of 2018.
TV Player also provide access to ITV Box Office events with the streaming service supported on a number of devices.
The price of the fight is still to be announced.
Betting odds | Provided by Betfair | Subject to change (UK and Ireland only)
Fight odds
- James Degale to win: EVS
- Chris Eubank to win: 4/5
- Draw: EVS
Method of victory
- DeGale to win by decision/technical decision: 13/8
- DeGale to win by KO/TKO: 7/1
- Eubank to win by decision/technical decision: 11/4
- Eubank to win by KO/TKO: 9/4
Click here to place a bet.
Prediction
Undercard
A promising undercard sees Joe Joyce take on former WBC world champion Bermane Stiverne.
The Juggernaut is fighting for just the eighth time as a professional, coming up against an opponent who has not fought since November 2017.
Stiverne went 12 rounds with Deontay Wilder in January 2015, losing his WBC strap on a unanimous decision. That performance earned him a rematch where he was knocked out in the first round – his last appearance in the ring.
Also on the card, Lee Selby fights for the first time since losing his IBF featherweight title to Josh Warrington last year.
Now fighting at super-featherweight, he is in action against Omar Douglas. Also on the card:
Andre Sterling vs Ricky Summers
Chezerae Nihell vs TBA
Chris Kongo vs TBA
Anthony Cacace vs TBA
