James DeGale Reveals Next Career Move After Wild Win At BKFC 81

Former super middleweight champion wants to end six-year layoff and return to the ring

Apr 30, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; James Degale (black trunks) looks on after fighting Rogelio Medina (not pictured) during the DC Double Header boxing match at DC Armory. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

James DeGale is looking to return to boxing after six years away from the ring.

DeGale, who has not competed in boxing since 2019, returned to combat sports by making his bare-knuckle debut at BKFC 81. In a back-and-forth, gritty affair that included four point deductions, DeGale would eventually get his hand raised over Matt Floyd in the main event.

DeGale edges Floyd after an all-action battle 😤#BKFC81 | Watch only on DAZN | @DAZN_Sport pic.twitter.com/6fFRSJilHq

— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) September 27, 2025

DeGale let his emotions out after picking up the win in front of his home fans. Clearly living in the moment, DeGale claimed that he is "just getting started," and that his BKFC journey would be the "second coming of JD."

However, the 39-year-old recanted that statement in his post-fight statement. DeGale announced that he is essentially done with bare-knuckle and wants to return to traditional boxing.

"First bare-knuckle fight [check emoji," DeGale wrote on Instagram. "Win [check emoji]. Massive respect to [BKFC] and the fighters — it's a brutal sport! Matty Floyd showed that with headbutts, low blows, and rabbit punches. Back to boxing for me."

Floyd was docked three points in the fight, giving DeGale the sweep on the scorecards. However, 'Chunky' would have won either way, as all three judges gave him at least three of the five rounds.

DeGale also lost a point in the fight, but it paled in comparison to Floyd's three deductions. Interestingly, Floyd nearly doubled his output, according to the BKFC website, but DeGale's shots clearly had a greater impact.

James DeGale's decorated boxing career

Apr 30, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; James Degale (black trunks) fights Rogelio Medina (blue trunks) during the DC Double Header boxing match at DC Armory. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

DeGale has not competed in boxing since losing an IBO super middleweight title fight to Chris Eubank Jr. in February 2019. The loss dropped him to 25-3-1 in his professional career, and he subsequently retired after the bout.

Although DeGale ended his career winning just two of his final four fights, he is one of the most decorated athletes in British boxing history. After winning a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, DeGale went on to claim the IBF 168-pound world title, which he would defend four times and reclaim once.

By becoming a world champion, DeGale was the first British boxer to win a gold medal and a world title. That accomplishment has since been repeated by Anthony Joshua and Welsh female welterweight champion Lauren Price.

It is unclear how often DeGale trained during his six-year retirement, but the former champion appeared to still be in elite shape at BKFC 81. He took a few minutes to get going, but perhaps that would be different in his natural setting and not in the grueling world of bare-knuckle.

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