A British former world champion who has not fought in over years has announced his comeback to the sport.

Former IBF super-middleweight world champion, James DeGale, who became the first Briton to capture an Olympic medal and a professional world title when he outpointed Andre Dirrell in 2015, has announced he is making a return to the ring.

DeGale has not fought since he was decisioned in a grudge match with Chris Eubank Jr in 2019, but appeared in a bare-knuckle scrap against Matt Floyd back in September.

The 40-year-old southpaw will face 45-year-old former English welterweight champion, Marcus Portman, in Wolverhampton on Saturday, September 26. Although, it is believed that the bout will not be sanctioned by the British Boxing Board of Control.

Speaking to TalkSport, following the announcement of his ring return, DeGale admitted that he is not eyeing up a return to the world titles, but is instead hoping to secure a fight with either Jake Paul or a big-name ‘Misfits’ fighter.

“I can’t go out how I went out against Eubank, I’ve stayed in shape, and after Floyd, I want to have one more in boxing.”

“Boxing has changed since I left. There is Misfits, and the Saudis have come in.

“My world title days are done but there are fights out there like Jake Paul, Darren Till, Ty Mitchell, KSI and Tommy Fury.”

The weight for DeGale-Portman is yet to be confirmed, but success in that contest could see ‘Chunky’ emerge as a potential dance partner for some of the Misfits stars.