IBF orders James DeGale to negotiate fight with Jose Uzcategui

IBF super middleweight titleholder James DeGale (22-1, 14 KOs) had a pretty big 2015, beating Andre Dirrell in Boston to win his first major world title and then beating Lucian Bute in his own backyard less than two months ago. Now, the IBF is ordering "Chunky" to make his mandatory title defense that must take place within the next couple of months. DeGale must negotiate and face mandatory challenger, 25-year-old Jose Uzcategui (24-1, 20 KOs).

"The IBF ordered James DeGale to start negotiations with mandatory challenger Jose Uzcategui," Tucker informed World Boxing News this week.

Uzcategui is most recently coming off a second round TKO stoppage over previously unbeaten Julius Jackson last October, in what was his first real test since dropping a disappointing unanimous decision to Matt Korobov in June 2014.

DeGale will almost certainly open as the clear odds favorite in this match-up, but whether this fight will take place in the U.S. or if he tries to bring it home to the U.K. remains to be see.