Boxing: DeGale closes in on World Title Shot

British super-middleweight James DeGale has moved one step closer to fighting for a world title after the WBC called for him to face Swede Badou Jack in a final eliminator. DeGale currently holds the WBC's Silver super-middleweight title, which has put him in line for a shot at current champion, Sakio Bika.

Degale had been due to fight a perennial favourite in the betting, Marco Antonio Periban, before the Mexican pulled out of talks, resulting in the 2008 Olympic champion being ordered to fight the unbeaten Jack. 

Swedish star, Jack, is now based in Las Vegas where he fights under the Mayweather Promotion banner. With an unbeaten 16-0 record, including 11 stoppages and one draw, Jack will face DeGale without ever being involved in a 12-round fight.

DeGale, however, has been fighting in championship-length bouts since his seventh pro-bout, going the distance on five occasions, recording victories against a string of world class fighters along the way without ever getting the chance to test himself against the best. 

"We're now in the private negotiation period and if we cannot come to an agreement with Jack's representatives it will go to purse bids on February 14th," said DeGale’s promoter Mick Hennessy.

"We have already made an offer to Mayweather Promotions for this fight to take place in England on March 1st and we are awaiting a reply. The great thing about eliminators and mandatory positions is that fighters are forced to face each other as no one was in a hurry to face James."

DeGale has long complained of being one of the division’s most avoided fighters and could now have the chance to put himself in a mandatory position to finally fight for a world title, a development that would no doubt prove interesting for people who bet on boxing. 

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