The very definition of a crossroads fight.

Former two-time IBF super middleweight titleholder James DeGale will take on Chris Eubank Jr. in a 12-round non-title bout at the O2 Arena in London on February 23.

DeGale, who is rated No. 6 by The Ring at 168 pounds, lost his title to Caleb Truax in December 2017 and won it back in a direct rematch four months later.

Shortly thereafter, the former Olympic champion relinquished his title before knocking off the cobwebs with a third-round knockout in a stay-busy bout.

“After (Eubank) has lost to me I am not sure where he is going to go,” said DeGale (25-2-1, 15 knockouts) at an official press conference on Thursday. “Call this a retirement fight. Whoever loses can knock it on the head. Whoever loses, game over.

“A lot of people think I am in decline but they’re in for a shock.”

Eubank, who is rated No. 8 by The Ring, has won one fight since being outpointed by countryman George Groves in the semi-final of the World Boxing Super Series in February.

At only 29 years old, the Brighton-born boxer-puncher insists there’s plenty left in the tank.

“James talks retirement but it has never even come into my mind,” said Eubank Jr. (27-2, 21 KOs).

“In February it will be a painful lesson. I have been training to fight you for years. I know everything about you.”

The contest will be a pay-per-view broadcast on ITV Box Office in the U.K.

Tom Gray is Associate Editor for Ring Magazine. Follow him on Twitter: @Tom_Gray_Boxing

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