James DeGale will be defending his European super middleweight title against Italy's Cristian Sanvia, with the previously reported April 21 date looking likely. The fight will be held in Denmark, and there is now speculation that DeGale (11-1, 8 KO) could soon be a Sauerland Event fighter.
DeGale, 26, has been at odds with promoter Frank Warren over the last month, publicly stating his intention to leave Warren's stable, which Warren is fighting as DeGale's contract is valid through April 2013.
But clearly, the two of them are having a lot of difficulty, and a split might be best for both sides. A move to Sauerland would make sense; DeGale would be signing with Europe's biggest promoter, and one of the biggest in the world, plus Sauerland have a great working relationship with Warren, providing fights for his BoxNation network in the UK. This could be a deal, if it were to go through, where Sauerland buys out DeGale's contract and takes over his career. In that scenario, Warren is paid, DeGale gets to move on as he wishes, and Sauerland gets a good prospect and current European champ.
Sanavia (45-5-1, 13 KO) is a 37-year-old fighter who has made a career of fighting a bunch of people twice and then fighting a lot of weak opponents. Guys he's fought twice: Morrade Hakkar (1-1), Markus Beyer (1-1), Danilo Haussler (0-1-1), and Karo Murat (0-2). He hasn't fought anyone good since losing a second time to Murat in 2009, but has won his last five.
The rumor of Mikkel Kessler facing Brian Magee on this card was untrue; Kessler will still face Robert Stieglitz on April 14.