5 Potential Opponents for IBF Super Middleweight Champion James DeGale

By beating Andre Dirrell in Boston to claim the vacant IBF super middleweight belt, James DeGale made boxing history.

The Londoner out-pointed his American opponent to become the first Englishman to win both an Olympic gold medal as an amateur and a world title in the professional ranks.

"Chunky" knocked Dirrell down twice in the second round, though he eventually settled for winning on the scorecards at Boston's Agganis Arena.

So, now he has the IBF strap in his possession, what's DeGale's next move?

Here we consider five potential opponents for the slick southpaw, including one familiar face whom he would certainly like to meet again.

Just to be clear, Carl Froch was not considered for this shortlist.

"The Cobra" has not yet made a decision over his future and had already shown his lack of interest in facing DeGale by vacating the IBF title, rather than face his compatriot in a mandatory defence.

A rematch with Andre Dirrell wasn't probably going to be top of the agenda for DeGale before Saturday's show in Boston.

However, a second clash between the pair may now be of some interest after the initial bout was so enthralling.

Dirrell was decked twice in a sensational second round, yet he came through the storm and clawed his way back into the contest in the second half.

In the end he was unable to do enough to get the win, but did he do enough to earn another crack at DeGale, perhaps in England later this year?

The likelihood is, however, the new champion won't be too keen to go over old ground.

Dirrell—whose only other defeat came at the hands of Carl Froch back in 2009—will have to work his way into a position where the Brit has no choice but to face him again.

Mikkel Kessler has retired, but that didn't stop the great Dane's name from being raised in DeGale's post-fight interviews.

The "Viking Warrior" announced he was "mentally stopping his career" in February (via Bad Left Hook).

However, he also said in the same statement that he would be ready to get back in the ring again if "an incredible offer" was presented to him.

That was likely aimed at Froch and Andre Ward, but could the prospect of returning in a world-title bout tempt the 36-year-old to return later this year?

Kessler is still a big draw, but he has not fought since losing to Froch two years ago.

As Allan Fox pointed out for Boxing News 24, it would be unlikely the IBF would sanction a bout for DeGale against Kessler after the challenger's long period of inactivity.

Andre Ward will finally make his return to the ring on June 20, taking on an Englishman in Paul Smith.

The catchweight bout will give the American a chance to blow away the cobwebs, considering the last time he fought was back in November 2013.

The IBF belt could be a carrot that tempts Ward, plus he and DeGale also share an achievement.

Like the Brit, Ward became a world champion as a pro after striking Olympic gold, having been successful at the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece.

However, DeGale—per Bill Emes of BoxingScene.com—doesn't expect the fight to happen: "Andre Ward wouldn't fight me I'm telling you. He won't fight me. I just want to unify the titles, I just want to box the big names."

Ward has yet to confirm whether he will continue on at super middleweight, with Joseph Herron of Fight Saga suggesting, per promoter Kathy Duva of Main Events, he could instead move up to face light heavyweight Sergey Kovalev.

As well as Ward, DeGale mentioned the name of Gennady Golovkin in the immediate aftermath.

Talking to RingTV.com (h/t Scott Gilfoid of BoxingNews24.com), he said: 

I see weakness in him. I seen him against [Willie] Monroe. He really don’t like southpaws.

He [Golovkin] can punch and he’s small for the weight [division] as well. He’s only about 5’10”.

He’s not that big for the weight, and that’s when he’s going to get tested when he moves up.

They were strong words from Chunky, particularly as Golovkin has a 33-0 record as a professional and is the reigning WBA and IBO middleweight champion.

GGG has been linked with moving up to fight an Englishman, though Froch is the man talked about as a possible opponent for him.

Per BBC Radio 5 live, Froch admitted that, if he were to carry on fighting, Golovkin would be "an opponent I'd definitely like."

DeGale may indeed see weaknesses in the man from Kazakhstan, but it doesn't seem likely he will get the chance in the near future to expose them.

James DeGale versus George Groves is going to happen again. It simply has to.

There is too much bad blood between the pair, not to mention too much interest in Britain, to not see the pair meet in the ring at some stage in the future.

The duo have been the best of enemies since the amateur days, when Groves came out on top.

The same outcome occurred when they then met in the pro ranks, with Saint George winning on points at the O2 Arena in London in May 2011.

However, DeGale is going to have to wait a little longer to get a shot at revenge.

Groves is going to face WBC title holder Badou Jack next, as confirmed per Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook. The bout is set to happen in the United States, though details are yet to be confirmed.

If he follows in the footsteps of his rival and becomes a world champion on American soil, expect a unification clash with DeGale—on pay-per-view television somewhere in the capital—to be made as soon as possible.

Who would you put DeGale in with next? Have your say by using the comments section.