Andre Dirrell secures homefield for DeGale fight

Andre Dirrell and James DeGale looks to be close to a done deal, in a fight for Carl Froch's recently vacated IBF title. Warriors Boxing won the purse bid by a large margin on Tuesday, with a bid of $3.1M. This bid easily surpassed the only other bid which came from Eddie Hearn for $2.105M. Because both fighters will evenly split the purse, each man is lined up to earn career-highs of $1.55M.

The fight is likely to take place in April in the U.S., as an Al Haymon PBC event. However, before we jump the gun, Warriors Boxing still needs to submit signed contracts from both fighters by March 25th, and then they have 90 days to stage the fight. Eddie Hearn is a little disappointed to lose out on the purse bid, but still thinks he and his fighter will come away victorious.

'Disappointed to lose the bid but confident DeGale will beat Dirrell anywhere," Hearn told ESPN.com. "Negotiations were frustrating and in the end Andre made it clear he wasn't coming to the U.K. I think even if we won the bid he wouldn't have come. They have 15 days to provide the date and then James will make his way to the U.S. and pick up the red and gold jewels."

Dirrell was likely weary of heading back to England for the title shot because he feels he got stiffed with a split decision loss to Carl Froch - a fight that took place in Carl's backyard during the Super Six tournament. But if this fight comes off, who do you favor between Dirrell and DeGale?