James DeGale leaves promoter Mick Hennessy, once again a free agent

With a career stagnating in terms of profile and popularity, James DeGale has split from promoter Mick Hennessy, once again making himself a free agent. DeGale previously left Frank Warren for Hennessy, whose deal with Channel 5 has not gone the way he might have hoped, with Tyson Fury signing a deal with BoxNation, DeGale now leaving, and Channel 5 not showing true dedication to pushing boxing.

DeGale (18-1, 12 KO) has been named mandatory challenger by the WBC, but the Daily Mail says that the fighter and his team have become concerned with the lack of competitive opponents they've faced during their time with Hennessy, feeling DeGale may have become unmotivated without challenges, leading to some subpar, though victorious performances.

DeGale, 28, also recently said he'd accepted an eliminator fight with the IBF, which at the time was figured to be with Brandon Gonzales, who recently signed with Gary Shaw.

DeGale has plenty of options in theory, as he could look to link up with Matchroom, try to make a new deal with Warren, or maybe look into the American promoters, particularly Golden Boy, since they house current WBC titleholder Sakio BIka. Top Rank, too, would no doubt have interest in DeGale.