DeGale to fight Farias on March 23... and has Froch, Kessler and Ward in his sights

James DeGale will have to impress against Pablo Farias in his next fight if he is to pursue his plans of earning a shot at a world title by the end of the year.
The talented super-middleweight is to fight Argentina's Farias on March 23 at Glow in Bluewater, Kent, and promoter Mick Hennessy insists he will follow that victory by attempting to secure fights against either Carl Froch or Mikkel Kessler.
'This is the year when James will be chasing the big names like Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler,' Hennessy said. 'Froch knows what it’s like to be avoided because he could never get his dream fight against Joe Calzaghe before he retired.

 

Ambitious: James DeGale and promoter Mick Hennessy hope a world title shot is near

'We are hoping he won’t do to James what Joe did to him. It’s a big year for him.

'By the end of this year, we are looking to become the mandatory challenger for WBC world champion Andre Ward.'

 

 

Targeted: But both Carl Froch (left) and Mikkel Kessler would represent significant challenges for DeGale

Any potential shot at Andre Ward represents one of the most difficult challenges in boxing. The unbeaten world champion comfortably outpointed Carl Froch in 2011 and is understandably widely considered the world's finest fighter beyond Floyd Mayweather.

 

Elite: Andre Ward (left) is one of the best fighters in the world

DeGale, incidentally, won the WBC Silver title with a unanimous decision victory over Fulgencio Zuniga in December. His upcoming opponent Farias has lost only twice, to WBO champion Arthur Abraham and after a disqualification.