DeGale claims he has split from Warren

James DeGale has announced he is to split from manager Frank Warren, who insists the Harlesden boxer remains under contract with him until April next year.

DeGale, 25, joined Warren’s promotional stable after winning gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

DeGale had an eventful 2011.

“I think it is time for both of us to move on,” DeGale said in a brief statement.

But a statement from Frank Warren Promotions Limited read: “We have seen the press reports today in which James DeGale states that he is to split from his manager Frank Warren.

“This is not true; James DeGale is in fact under contract until 14 April 2013.”

Last May, DeGale suffered the first defeat of his professional career when he lost the British super-middleweight title to bitter rival and fellow West Londoner George Groves on a disputed points decision.

Groves, also the Commonwealth champion, later signed with Warren – a move DeGale told West London Sport he was initially unhappy about.

DeGale bounced back from the loss against Groves to win the European title, which he was expected to defend against Cristian Sanavia, the mandatory challenger, early this year.

But no date has been set for that fight, and a clash with Spaniard Jose Maria Guerrero in December was moved from London to Liverpool and then scrapped altogether.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook