IBF world super middleweight champion James DeGale (23-1-1) will be back in action for the first time in 10 months as he faces American veteran Caleb Truax (28-3-2) in defense of his title this Saturday night in London.
Last time out, DeGale fought a title unification bout with WBC world champion Badou Jack that ended in a draw. DeGale and Jack fought on the same card in April of 2016 and their showdown was talked about for September, but the promotion kept them waiting into the new year. DeGale needs to put together a streak of consistency and avoid layoffs, and that run starts this Saturday. DeGale is an Olympic gold medalist and potentially one of the big players at 168 pounds. In Truax, he is facing a veteran who may best be remembered for his failed bid at Daniel Jacobs’ WBC world middleweight title back in April of 2015, Truax has gone 10-0 in 2017 so far, winning an August 25th fight with KeAndre Leatherwood in his home state of Minnesota.
A second IBF world title fight comes to us in the featherweight division as champion Lee Selby (25-1) defends his belt against Mexico’s Eduardo Ramirez (20-0-3). Selby is making the fifth defense of his IBF belt and he will once again do it in front of a British crowd in a fight in which he is a heavy favorite. Rodriguez is a southpaw who is coming off a split draw with Cuba’s Leduan Barthelemy this past September.
Several of the undercard bouts are available at the books as well, though none of the bouts thusfar are offering competitive lines. Fans of heavyweight action may want to keep an eye on up and coming Daniel Dubois (5-0), who is a major favorite over veteran Dorian Darch.
Copper Box Arena – London, England
Super Middleweight 12 rounds –
Caleb Truax +3500
James DeGale -8500
Featherweight 12 rounds –
Eduardo Ramirez +1150
Lee Selby -2125
Light Heavyweight 12 rounds –
Nikola Sjekloca +1750
Anthony Yarde -4375
Heavyweight 10 rounds –
Dorian Darch +2800
Daniel Dubois -7000
