Former world champion James DeGale will make his bare-knuckle combating debut on 27 September in Manchester.

DeGale, 39, retired from boxing in 2019 after a unanimous determination defeat by Chris Eubank Jr.

He’ll return to fight sports activities towards Australian Matt Floyd on the Naked Knuckle Combating Championship card on the AO Enviornment.

“UK I am again. This time the gloves are off,” the Londoner wrote on Instagram.

“Everybody asking what model you are getting… seven years out, physique healed, thoughts sharp – it is the perfect one but. Demolition job pending.”

DeGale turned the primary British boxer to win each an Olympic gold medal and an expert world title.

He received middleweight gold on the 2008 Beijing Olympics and claimed the IBF super-middleweight title in Might 2015 with a factors win over American Andre Dirrell.

Nicknamed ‘Chunky’, he misplaced the belt in December 2017 to Caleb Truax however regained it in a rematch in April 2018 earlier than vacating it later that yr.

After being outpointed by fellow Briton Eubank Jr in what was his third profession loss, DeGale stated he was “not the fighter I as soon as was” and introduced his retirement shortly after.

Floyd, 36, has an expert boxing report of 15 wins and two losses. The Perth-born fighter and former gang member, who served time in jail, was reportedly in talks to face Briton Tommy Fury earlier this yr.