Top Rank interested in signing James DeGale

James DeGale may be coming to America soon, as Top Rank's Bob Arum says he's interested in signing the fighter, and that the feeling is mutual. If DeGale is currently a free agent, which Arum is not sure about, he says a move could be made, and that Andre Ward would be an ideal opponent in the near future.

"He's a very nice guy and he wants to sign with us," Arum said. "I'm interested but I'm not interested in buying a lawsuit." Arum said he is still doing his due diligence to see if DeGale is still under contract to British promoter Mick Hennessy but that if he is a free agent, he'd like to sign him. "He's a very good fighter, but I know he's not the most exciting guy in the world. He'd certainly be a good opponent for [champion] Andre Ward. There's a lot you can do with him."

Arum, who may be the first person in boxing to call DeGale "a very nice guy," would be signing a talented but sometimes aloof-seeming young fighter. DeGale, 27, has stagnated as a pro a bit, with a record of 16-1 (11 KO), his lone loss coming to George Groves in a rare meeting of top-rated prospects at early points in their respective careers.

DeGale has the ability to become a top super middleweight, or at least a lot of the time he seems to have that sort of talent. Other times, he looks a little sluggish, a little lazy in the ring, and he seems to coast past overmatched foes, in turn making them look a little better than they might be, and/or making himself look worse. He's interesting, but he'd also be moving on to the third promoter of his young career, so I don't know what, if anything, that means.

Would you like to see DeGale make the move to Top Rank? Do you think it would be a boost for his career?