Gilberto Ramirez
Photo by Porfirio Barron Jr./RBRBoxing
It’s a tricky one for James DeGale, because potential world class opponents are limited for a first defense in late 2015. George Groves is fighting for the WBC strap against Badou Jack later in the year (date to be confirmed), and former owner of the IBF strap Carl Froch has already ruled himself out of a potential British blockbuster stating he can’t get motivated for the fight, with a summer showdown against devastating puncher Gennady Golovkin rumored to be in negotiations.
His promoter Eddie Hearn won’t want to take a big chance against someone like Andre Ward, if it means the possibility of wrecking a big domestic fight in 2016. He has already demonstrated this with stablemate Kell Brook, matching him with Jo Jo Dan in his first defense.
A first defense against Gilberto Ramirez (31-0, 24 KOs), a fighter with a good record who hasn’t fought anyone near DeGale’s standard might be the perfect justification for Hearn going forward.
