Wednesday 11 March 2015 13:39, UK
James DeGale’s world title clash with Andre Dirrell is expected to be held in America after Dirrell's team won purse bids for the bout.
The 29-year-old Londoner will battle Dirrell for the vacant IBF super-middleweight belt and promoter Eddie Hearn had hoped to stage the fight at London’s O2 Arena on April 25.
But Hearn was unable to agree terms with Dirrell’s backers, who have since tabled a huge bid of over $3m to stage the bout in America.
Announcing this latest development on Twitter, Hearn said: “News out of the U.S. - runner up for us in the purse bids for @jamesdegale1 v Dirrell - we bid $2.105m & Warriors boxing bid $3.1m! Date soon.”
The loss of home advantage is a setback for DeGale, who has only fought once before outside this country, but will be well paid for his trip to the States.
DeGale is trying to become the first British Olympic boxing gold medallist to win a world title and remains confident about defeating the Michigan man.
He tweeted: "purse bids won by Al Haymon at £3.1m (sic) - fight will be staged in USA - date and location TBC - ring is a ring I'm still making history!!"
Dirrell was reluctant to return to these shores as his only previous defeat came on points against Carl Froch in Nottingham, back in 2009.
