James DeGale, 40, set for boxing comeback seven years after retiring

James DeGale will don the gloves once again on September 26.

The two-time IBF super middleweight champion is set to square off against former English welterweight titlist Marcus Portman in Wolverhampton, seven years after calling time on his career.

Instagram - ShowFighter UK

DeGale, 40, hung up his gloves in the aftermath of a punishing unanimous decision defeat to fierce rival Chris Eubank Jr in February 2019.

At the time, DeGale declared that he had ‘nothing left to prove‘ following a glittering career that saw him become the first British boxer to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title.

However, with the ghost of his loss to Eubank Jr still haunting him, DeGale returned to the ring for a bare-knuckle boxing bout last September in the hopes of rewriting the final chapter of his career.

DeGale picked up a unanimous decision victory over Australia’s Matt Floyd in a bad-tempered BKFC bout that saw four points deducted for foul play.

Before that contest, DeGale told talkSPORT.com that he also intended to box again.

The writing was already on the wall

“I can’t go out how I went out against Eubank,” said DeGale.

“I’ve stayed in shape, and after Floyd, I want to have one more in boxing.

“Boxing has changed since I left. There is Misfits, and the Saudis have come in.

“My world title days are done, but there are fights out there like Jake Paul, Darren Till, Ty Mitchell, KSI, and Tommy Fury.”

Thankfully, DeGale hasn’t fallen into the same trap as Mike Tyson or Chris Byrd by being lured back into the ring by a significantly younger opponent.

BKFC

While DeGale’s dance partner Portman remains active on the unlicensed boxing circuit, he is five years ‘Chunky’s’ senior.

As of right now, it appears that the fight will not be professionally sanctioned.

The event is being staged by ShowFighter UK, which doesn’t hold a promotional license with the British Boxing Board of Control.

DeGale and Portman will lock horns at the 3,000-capacity University of Wolverhampton Halls.

The weight they intend to compete at and the duration of the contest are yet to be announced.

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