History-making British boxer poised for surprise Wolverhampton comeback

Former Olympic and world champion James DeGale is launching a surprise boxing comeback in Wolverhampton later this month.

The history-making super middleweight will fight for the first time since 2019 when he faces West Bromwich’s Marcus Portman over six rounds at the Civic Hall on Saturday, September 26.

DeGale, now 40, is coming out of retirement to headline the inaugural Reign event, which promises to deliver a mixture of bouts between former professionals and crossover fights involving social media influencers.

Britain’s first amateur world champion Frankie Gavin also makes his return to action in the chief support bout, which will see him face 50-year-old hometown star Steve Saville in a rematch of their first meeting in 2009.

But it is DeGale, who in 2015 became the first British boxer to win both Olympic gold and a professional world title, who is the undoubted star attraction.

The Londoner was persuaded to make his ring return by Showfighter promoter Andy Sahota, who has major plans for the new Reign brand.

“I've known James for over ten years, so having him headline the first Reign means much more than simply putting a former world champion at the top of the bill,” explained Sahota.

“James believes in what we're trying to build. We want Reign to create opportunities, bring new audiences into boxing and, importantly, put something back into grassroots boxing.”

The 14-bout event will be broadcast by TalkSport Boxing. More than 300 people attended a three-hour launch press conference earlier this month, which saw the fights come face-to-face for the first time.

“We've put together 14 fights and there are stories right through this card,” said Sahota.

“We've got champions, comebacks, rivalries, crossover fights and fighters coming from America and from across the UK.

“We want Reign to feel like a major occasion from the moment the doors open.”Tickets for the show are available now at AXS.com.