DeGale still frustrated by draw with Jack, targets future fight with Andre Ward

James DeGale still laments his draw with Badou Jack back in January, telling WBN that he can’t really give an accurate assessment of Jack’s skill level since he fought him with a handicap. Jack, who has since moved up a division, is currently scheduled to take on Nathan Cleverly in a light heavyweight bout this Saturday on the Mayweather-McGregor undercard.

“It’s a good fight. I’m not too sure how good Badou Jack is because I fought him injured. He put in a good performance and got a lot of credit for getting a draw with me. I know he’s a good fighter but I’m not too sure if he’s elite but we’re gonna find out a lot more. If he can do a job on Nathan Cleverly then he’s elite, world class,” DeGale exclusively told World Boxing News.

“I was injured and still got a draw, it’s just a bit annoying. Thankfully I’m still world champion,” DeGale said.

DeGale is currently a promotional free agent after his contract expired with Matchroom. He’ll be playing the field to see what the biggest and best options are out there for him at this point, but says he only has a few fights left in him and he wants to make them count.

“He’s a good fighter, but it annoys me he got loads of credit from it. The likes of Andre Ward (in the future) are the kind of fights I want to be remembered for,” DeGale concluded.

DeGale hasn’t fought since drawing with Jack at the top of the year. He lost a few teeth in that grueling battle and subsequently had surgery on an injured shoulder. No immediate plans for his return have been made just yet.