James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jr set to ditch December fight date with New Year bout more likely
The domestic rivals were rumoured to be set for a fight date next month, but reports now suggest the pair will look to meet in 2019
JAMES DEGALE and Chris Eubank Jr are set to scrap their proposed December fight date, reports suggest.
The ring rivals were rumoured to have been set for a December 8 date, however, claim the fight will now be heading for January.
The fight had yet to be officially announced but rumours suggested the showdown was targeted for the end of the year with ITV Box Office set to broadcast the non title fight.
Both fighters picked up wins in the final weekend of September with Eubank Jr first beating JJ McDonagh in three rounds in Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of Callum Smith's World Boxing Super Series final win against George Groves.
One day later DeGale halted Fidel Munoz after three rounds in California.
Before and after their wins the super-middleweight’s announced on social media to claim they would be back in action by the end of the year, which fuelled rumours that a showdown between the two would be shortly before Christmas.
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However, it looks like this domestic grudge match will take place in 2019 as the fighters look keen to avoid an already blockbuster month for the boxing world.
Firstly, Tyson Fury travels to Los Angeles to challenge Deontay Wilder for the WBC world heavyweight title.
Then two weeks later Liverpool’s Rocky Fielding defends his WBA ‘Regular’ super-middleweight strap against pound-for-pound superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in New York.
To end the month of December Dillian Whyte meets Derek Chisora in a heavyweight grudge match at the O2 Arena.
While on the same night Josh Warrington defends his IBF featherweight world title against at the Manchester Arena.
With so many fights set to entertain the month of December where fans will be forced to tune in on pay-per-view, it is easy to see why DeGale and Eubank Jr have opted to stay clear of the busy schedule.
'Chunky' all but confirmed on Instagram that he will not be fighting until 2019 as he captioned his post: "Laying the foundations for a proper performance early next year."
DeGale, a former IBF world champion and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, told Premier Boxing Champions he is looking to ‘outclass’ Eubank Jr, while also predicting a good fight due to their styles.
He said: "Domestically, it’s a massive fight.
"I believe that our styles will gel, and with a lot on the line, it will make a great fight.
"Eubank relies on his engine and his work rate to get him through. But he struggles every time he steps up in competition.
"He’s been calling me out since he was an amateur. So I will finally be getting a chance to use my skills and experience to outclass him and to shut him up."