The pair were repeatedly linked to a huge showdown when DeGale was on the way up trying to prove himself as an elite fighter, but he did not become world champion until 2015, a year after Froch had hung his gloves up. 

This weekend, nearly seven years after exiting the sport himself, DeGale will be back under the spotlight as he makes his bareknuckle debut against Matty Floyd in Manchester.  

In 2019, following a shock loss to Chris Eubank Jr, DeGale walked away from boxing and has rarely been seen since providing an illusion that he is content in retirement. 

In recent months, Froch has been linked to a showdown with Darren Till on a Misfits show and he was in attendance when the Liverpool man fought Luke Rockhold at the end of last month . 

Froch’s talk about coming back has spiked the interest of DeGale and the 2008 Olympic gold medalist is more than ready to renew hostilities with the Nottingham man. 

“I’d personally love that, but Carl thinks he’s Floyd Mayweather,” said Degale when speaking exclusively to DAZN News . 

“He talks so much. He’s so disrespectful and he’s not humble one bit. He’s so arrogant. 

“He’s nearly 50. He looks good and he’s in good shape, but he’s 50. Darren Till probably beats him. He’s all talk. He won’t fight me. He’s all talk. He just wants to be in the limelight.”

Watch James DeGale vs Matt Floyd live on DAZN

BKFC 81 sees Olympic boxing champion James DeGale make his Bare Knuckle debut. Watch the fight and whole fight card live with a DAZN subscription.

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