Recently, the IBF mandated a super middleweight showdown between top contenders James DeGale (20-1, 14KOs) and Andre Dirrell (24-1, 16Kos) after the reigning champion, Carl Froch, vacated the title. Froch, who is still uncertain about his return as he continues to target a big fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. later this year, chose to step aside for the time being to let his fellow countryman, DeGale, fight for the vacant strap. DeGale's promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, is confident he can lure Andre Dirrell over to England to make the fight on April 25th at the O2 Arena in London. The question is, would Dirrell be willing to make a second trip overseas after feeling as though he did not get a fair decision against Carl Froch back in 2009, when both men squared off in Nottingham, England for the WBC Super Middleweight title as part of the Super Six Tournament. FightHype.com recently spoke to Dirrell regarding the newly mandated fight with DeGale and asked if he'd be interested in the fight.
"Hell yeah that's a fight I'd be interested in! Number one, that's an IBF world championship fight. I've only fought for one championship my whole career and that was against Carl Froch in 2009. That was about seven years into my career. So this is another chance for me to go get that title and for me to fight someone like DeGale is nothing short of amazing because he's a great fighter and I'm a great fighter. The belt is up for grabs. Just like if he were champion or I were champion, we are both the opponent," explained Dirrell, who is definitely looking forward to the opportunity to capture his first world title. Although he's willing to go overseas again, Dirrell made it clear that this time, everything must be on an even playing field.
"It's like this, man. I don't base future fights off of past ones. I'm not going to let the experience with Froch make me say, 'I'll never go back to London again,' because truth be told, I got fans over in England. I was treated well over there, so of course I will. But for a championship fight, I just feel as long as we're on an even playing field, I'm fine with that. It doesn't have to be his backyard, it doesn't have to be my backyard, but I just want it somewhere on an even playing field to get it done," Dirrell continued. "So with a situation like this, no, I don't want to go back over there because I just want it to be on an even playing field for that reason and that reason alone. Not for the fact of what happened with me and Froch. I want my challenges to be world renowned and if I have to go across the world to fight, then I'll do so. Under any circumstances, I want to be world champion. I want to unify the titles and I want to be the best fighter that the world has ever seen. So whatever that takes, whatever it takes, I'm willing to do anything to get that world championship".
Before the fight can become a reality, it still needs to be bid on, and according to the IBF, it will be an even 50/50 purse split for both fighters. DeGale is already sounding confident, stating that he feels he can stop Dirrell despite him being a tough opponent. Dirrell, however, is just as confident and has own prediction for the fight. "This is a great fight. This is a great match for the fans and it's something they want to see. Now me, myself, I know I'ma beat the shit out of DeGale. And in reverse, he feels the same way about me, so there you have it. You have a fight and I'm looking forward to it!"
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