James DeGale, who retired from professional boxing in 2019 with a 25-3-1 record, has returned to combat sports.
The British fighter secured a unanimous decision victory over Matt Floyd in his bare-knuckle boxing debut in Manchester.
DeGale, an Olympic gold medalist and former two-time IBF super-middleweight champion, emerged victorious from a rugged contest, with judges scoring the bout 48-43, 48-43, and 47-44 in his favor.
Australian fighter Matt Floyd had three points deducted for headbutting DeGale and employing a headlock. DeGale, 39, found success utilizing his jab throughout the match.
“The holding and punching, it’s crazy stuff. But I’m 1-0 and that’s all that matters,” DeGale commented after the fight.
“He was tough but in a boxing fight he wouldn’t last two rounds.”
This fight marked DeGale’s return to competition following a decisive loss to Chris Eubank Jr six years prior, a defeat that prompted his retirement from professional boxing.
DeGale achieved a historic milestone in 2015, becoming the first British boxer to secure both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title.
MMA schedule and results 2025
Watch every Born to Brawl episode
Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport