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Home » James DeGale lines up Marcos Periban before Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

James DeGale lines up Marcos Periban before Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

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The World Boxing Council has revealed that British super-middleweight contender James DeGale is set to fight NABF title holder Marco Periban in the United Kingdom in the coming months.

Speaking at the WBC Convention, Executive Director Mauricio Sulaiman stated that Londoner DeGale, 27, has agreed to a fight against Periban on his home patch next year. The victor is then in line for a final eliminator to face champion Sakio Bika.

Mexican Periban was unlucky to miss out on becoming the WBC champion previously when pitted against Bika for the vacant title in the summer. It will be a stubborn test for DeGale, even with the fight happening on British soil.

Whoever does come out on top then faces the daunting task of meeting ex-middleweight king Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at 168 lbs. The huge 160lber decided to move up the eight pounds following the defeat to Sergio Martinez.

James DeGale vs Periban

For DeGale, fights in the ilk of Chavez are what the 2008 Olympic gold medallist has been craving. However, promoter Hennessy Sports is yet to confirm that terms have been initially finalized with 29 year-old Periban.

Right now, the WBC’s plan is far from set in stone. DeGale has to first negotiate with Dyah Davis on November 16 before his semi-final clash with former title challenger Periban can come to fruition.

Providing DeGale wins the fight double. There would be tough negotiations with Top Rank and Bob Arum.

Chavez Jr. will almost certainly want a home advantage. DeGale’s promoter Mick Hennessy has always been a stickler for having things his way.

Suppose the four-fighter blueprint involving DeGale, Periban, Chavez, and Bika does follow the WBC’s guidelines. In that case, fight fans can look forward to tasty match-ups in 2014.

The eventual champion will be in the mix to battle the division’s big names, Carl Froch and Andre Ward.

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