James DeGale makes a big admission after losing his world title to American Caleb Truax at the Copper Box Arena in London.

“Chunky” is a talented fighter when he’s on song. Every boxing fan worth his bread knows that.

When he’s without injury and firing on all cylinders with those dazzling combinations and incredible reflexes he can put on show, and he’s confident and motivated, he’s a hard man for anyone at 168lbs to beat.

But last night as he would surely admit was far, far from his best, which he’d surely admit.

It was the first time he boxed in almost a year and after a lot of changes including moving to a new promoter – it just didn’t gel for him on the night.

Huge credit to American Caleb Truax who seized his moment and became a deserving world champion.

Speaking after the fight, DeGale admitted he rushed back to boxing:

“If I’m honest I probably rushed back. I got an operation in June and maybe that was a bit too early to come back but I have to sort things out and I want the rematch.”

He added:

“I have to talk to Al Haymon and see what we can work out.”

Haymon, his adviser based in the US, no doubt will be able to bring him back into some interesting fights but it might be a case of DeGale taking some time out and also watch what happens in the World Boxing Super Series.

For example, the loser of the upcoming Eubank Jr vs Groves fight in early 2018 could be an option for him to get back into a big fight straight away in mid 2018, depending on how the fight plays out.