James DeGale, a former world champion, is set to make his bare-knuckle fighting debut on September 27, 2025, at the AO Arena in Manchester, UK.
At 39, DeGale concluded his boxing career in 2019 following a unanimous decision loss to Chris Eubank Jr.
He will step back into the arena against Australian fighter Matt Floyd as part of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event.
“UK, I’m making my return. This time, it’s hands-on. The gloves are off,” the London native expressed on Instagram.
Addressing his fans, he added, “Many are curious about what version of me will show up. After seven years off, my body is healed, my mind is sharp—it’s the best version yet. Expect a demolition job.”
DeGale is distinguished as the first British boxer to snag both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world championship.
He secured gold in middleweight at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and claimed the IBF super-middleweight title in May 2015 with a points victory over American Andre Dirrell.
Known as ‘Chunky’, he lost his title in December 2017 to Caleb Truax but reclaimed it in a rematch in April 2018, only to vacate it later that year.
Following his third career defeat by Eubank Jr., DeGale noted he was “not the fighter I once was” and subsequently announced his retirement.
Floyd, 36, boasts a professional boxing record of 15 wins and 2 losses. The Perth native, a former gang member who served time in prison, was reportedly in discussions to face British boxer Tommy Fury earlier in the year.