James DeGale: Marco Antonio Periban, Then Carl Froch Or George Groves: Military & Boxing Fitness Camp The Key?
James DeGale believes he is heading towards a world title, but that doesn't mean he's prepared to start slacking off. The world title contender has already earned himself a shot at Carl Froch, or his vacant title if he chooses to opt out of the fight, but he's not going to sit and wait around. Soon enough he will step into the boxing ring to fight Marco Antonio Periban, and then he's happy to fight Froch, George Groves or whoever stands in his way from world boxing domination in 2015. He has a secret weapon, however, and that's a military-boxing based training camp, but will that be enough to push him the full distance?
DeGale admits that fighting Periban is a "huge risk" to his world title contender position, which he'd lose if he was to lose this bout, but he believes it's a fight worth taking. He explained, saying, "It's a massive risk. I'm No 1 challenger for the IBF. I didn't have to take this fight. I'm fighting Periban, he's a good fighter, fought for the world title against Sakio Bika. I know he lost on points but there was nothing in it and he's boxed at a good, good level ... First things first I've got to get past Periban and then, early part next year, I'll be boxing for a world title."
DeGale, 28, believes it's his time, no matter who he has to face. He does have to wait for Froch to make up his mind. The champion has previously insisted he'd retire before fighting another domestic opponent, ruling DeGale out of contention to fight him, but not for a world title.
Does DeGale have the style to cause problems for Periban, Froch and Groves, and just how far will his new military fitness regime take him?