Andre Dirrell lands a right hand on Carl Froch during their WBC Super Middleweight fight on October 17, 2009. (Getty)
Andre Dirrell fights James DeGale for the vacant IBF World super middleweight title on Saturday afternoon, May 23 at the Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts.
The fight will be broadcast live as part of a Memorial Day weekend edition of Premier Boxing Championships on NBC at 4:30pm ET/1:30pm PT.
Live coverage in the U.K. will begin at 8:00pm BST on SkySports 1.
Odds of Winning
James Degale lands a left against Brandon Gonzales during their IBF World Super Middleweight Final Eliminator bout at Wembley Stadium on May 31, 2014 in London, England. (Getty)
This fight is a real pick’em, with no favorites in Vegas or on online sportsbooks (see odds below). The two combatants enter the ring with deep pedigrees and excellent boxing skills, and both will be looking to land Carl Froch’s former-IBF World super middleweight hardware. Expect a highly tactical contest, with the protagonists vying for positioning and points in a chess-like match.
Dirrell (24-1, 16 KOs) is coming off a handily earned unanimous decision win over fringe contender Derek Edwards in December of last year. Prior to the Edwards encounter, Dirrell had dispatched prospects Nick Brinson and Vladine Biosse, both by way of knockout.
The Olympic bronze medalist holds victories over certified top-10ers Arthur Abraham and Curtis Stevens.
Dirrell’s only blemish on his professional record came with a close split-decision loss to Carl Froch in 2009. The Flint, Michigan native has won his last six fights since his sole defeat.
“I’m ready for this fight,” Dirrell, 31 years old, said. “I’m so happy and honored to be fighting on NBC for a world title against a worthy opponent in James DeGale.”
Currently riding a 10-fight winning streak, DeGale (20-1, 14 KOs) was last in action knocking out Marco Antonio Periban in December of 2014. Going into the Periban fight, 2008 Olympic Gold medalist DeGale, 29 years old, had doled out first-time defeats to Brandon Gonzales and Gevorg Khatchikian.
DeGale’s one loss came in 2011 at the hands of fellow-Brit George Groves.
“On May 23 it’s my time to make history as the first Briton to win an Olympic gold medal and a world title,” DeGale said.
Check out DeGale taking care of business against Periban:
Let’s take a look at the bookies’ numbers:
bet365: Andre Dirrell -125 James DeGale +100
SkyBet: Andre Dirrell +100 James DeGale -125
Totesport: Andre Dirrell -100 James DeGale -100
Boylesports: Andre Dirrell -105 James DeGale +105
Prediction
Both fighters bring excellent hand speed, ring movement, and boxing skills to the table. They sport comprehensive defensive games and a respectable amount of pop. It’s no wonder the bookkeepers aren’t willing to commit.
However, Dirrells’ superior past opposition gives him a slight edge in my book, and my money would go on the American to sneak by with a close decision.
Guy’s pick: Andre Dirrell wins by split decision.
Who do you like to win the fight? Chime in with your comments below!