DeGale set to challenge Ward
James DeGale (14-1) looks set to fight unbeaten WBA/WBC super middleweight champion Andre Ward (26-0) in late 2013.
DeGale's promotor Mick Hennessey is confident DeGale will be Ward's mandatory challenger before the end of the year and will get a title shot after that.
It seems like Hennessey is looking to put DeGale in a fight where he won't get much criticism if he loses badly because Ward would be a huge step up in competition for the Londoner.
Fighting Ward would be a no lose situation for DeGale. There's nothing wrong with getting soundly beaten by the American because Ward is considered to be the best fighter at 168 lbs by far.
If DeGale gives Ward problems, even in defeat, he would make a name for himself in the process.
If Hennessey were to put DeGale in with the likes of Carl Froch, Mikkel Kessler or Arthur Abraham, a loss would be a bigger blow to DeGale's career.
DeGale will be defending his WBC silver super middleweight title against Alexander Brand on March 23 at Glow in Bluewater, Kent.