Boxing returns to prominence this weekend with James DeGale finally getting the opportunity to claim the world title he’s been seeking for so long against Andre Dirrell in Boston for the vacant IBF super middleweight title. 

Making this clash all the more intriguing is that both men are southpaws, a rare occurrence in a world title fight. Even though DeGale and Dirrell are talented boxer-punchers, the danger of the fight being a messy affair is increased by the two of them being left-handers. 

That said, both men can switch to orthodox, though in this department Dirrell is perhaps most comfortable and will be looking to mix it up in order to keep DeGale guessing. When it comes to the former British Olympic champion however, it’s impossible to shake the feeling that this is his time. 

The 29-year-old north London native has worked consistently hard to reach this point, guided by his trainer and close friend Jim McDonnell. Since recording the only defeat he’s suffered since turning professional to bitter rival George Groves in 2011, DeGale has had to watch Groves go on to establish himself as a top contender, culminating in his huge double header against Carl Froch with the second fight taking place at Wembley Arena in front of 80,000 fans. 

DeGale fought on the undercard at Wembley and it must have rankled to compare his career up to then, which saw him fighting in such illustrious boxing venues such as the Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent and the City Academy Sports Centre in Bristol, to that of Groves, who’d been filling the nation’s premier boxing arenas on the way to his first clash with Froch at the MEN in Manchester.

DeGale’s decision to switch promoters and sign with Eddie Hearn in early 2014 has proved wise. One eliminator and one tune-up fight later here he is, facing Dirrell for the world title he’s long coveted, and with it the recognition and respect he and his trainer believe is long overdue.

Dirrell is a veteran of these occasions by now. The 6'1" 31-year-old was losing a split decision to Froch for the WBC super middleweight strap as far back as 2009, a year after DeGale won the gold medal in Beijing. The Flint, Michigan, southpaw tried to steal the title from Froch when they met in Nottingham, ensuring it was a scrappy affair and probably the worst fight Froch has ever been involved in.

DeGale should be too busy and slick and strong for Dirrell in Boston, with the smart money backing him to win by stoppage in the later rounds. With such an outcome moving us closer to a second grudge fight against Groves, focus and desire certainly won’t be an issue.

On May 30, two of the most talented fighters Britain has produced in recent times are scheduled to clash at the North Greenwich Arena, headlining a card that includes London’s popular Kevin Mitchell, challenging for the WBC lightweight title, and heavyweight hope Anthony Joshua continuing his education against former contender Kevin “Kingpin” Johnson of the US.But it is Kell Brook’s second defence of his IBF welterweight title against Gavin that is the pick of the bunch. In going for such a risky defence, Brook and his team are clearly confident about the outcome.

And why shouldn’t they be? Kell Brook has at long last taken his place among the world’s best in the division —  excepting Floyd Mayweather — and will be eager to prove that when it comes to domestic competition, he’s operating at a different level. In fighting again so soon after his first defence against Jo Jo Dan in March, Brook is a man in a hurry to make up for the time lost to his enforced absence after being stabbed in the leg with a machete in Tenerife last summer.

On his radar going forward is Amir Khan and Mayweather, who if he is to be believed is scheduled to fight for the last time in September, with Brook’s name occupying a place on the list of potential opponents. Given that he holds the only welterweight belt that isn’t sitting in the Mayweather mansion, the Sheffield fighter has as much right to expect the call than any of the other names being mooted, including Khan.

Frankie Gavin, meanwhile, will fancy he can do a job on the world champion next weekend without the aid of a machete.  The Birmingham southpaw has found life in the pros difficult since failing to make weight at the 2008 Olympics as part of the same GB squad as James De Gale.

A former world amateur champion, Gavin will be looking to grasp the opportunity to hand Brook his first defeat while elevating himself onto the terrain of big paydays on an international stage. The 29-year old’s talent has never been in doubt, but his temperament has.

Brook’s vast experience against a higher quality of opposition than Gavin has faced up to now should be enough to ensure the title returns to Sheffield. However the champion and his impressive trainer, Brendan Ingle, will not be underestimating Gavin or the test he poses.

No matter, I can’t see past Brook by stoppage or unanimous decision.