EXCLUSIVE: DeGale splits from promoter Hennessy despite earning WBC title shot



James DeGale has split from promoter Mick Hennessy.

The super middleweight is now a free agent for the second time in his career, having signed with Hennessy Promotions after leaving Frank Warren.

DeGale, a 2008 Olympic gold medallist, is understood to have become frustrated with the direction his career has taken, despite earning the status of mandatory challenger to WBC super middleweight champion Sakio Bika.

Split: James DeGale has split from his promoter Mick Hennessy (below)

World shot: DeGale is mandatory challenger for WBC super middleweight champion Sakio Bika

He and his team are privately concerned that his level of opposition has left him under-motivated – which they believe has been reflected in his performances – and are frustrated at the location of certain fights.



Most recently, Londoner DeGale stopped Gevorg Khatchikian in Bristol.

DeGale posted a cryptic message on his Twitter account, posting: 'Out of the dark into the light.....'



Perhaps aggravating DeGale’s concerns, long-term rival George Groves’ profile is greater than ever after his first fight with Carl Froch in November, with Groves set to face Froch in a rematch in front of around 60,000 at Wembley Stadium on May 31.

High profile: James DeGale's long-time rival George Groves has an upcoming rematch with Carl Froch

Rematch: Groves said he would be open to another fight with DeGale, should he win a world title

Though the development suggests uncertainty at an important stage of his career, DeGale is still in line for a first world title shot before the end of 2014 , fulfilling his ambition of becoming Britain’s first Olympic gold medallist to become a world champion.

On Thursday, Groves even suggested he would be open to a rematch with his rival in a unification showdown should he overcome IBF and WBA champion Froch.

‘I wouldn’t object to fighting DeGale,’ he said.



