James DeGale has vacated the IBF super-middleweight world title in a surprise move.
Purse bids for a mandatory defence against Venezuela's Jose Uzcategui were due this week, but the 32-year-old has opted to relinquish the belt to pursue other options.
"Today I have relinquished my IBF world title as I look to secure big fights in the final chapter of my career. I've achieved so much in my career, Olympic gold, British and European title and becoming a two-time world champion," Boxing News quotes the fighter as saying.
"This is the final phase of my career where I want to be in the biggest fights possible. My team has been working very hard behind the scenes and we've got some exciting news to announce soon."
DeGale lost the IBF super-middleweight title to Caleb Truax last year, but went on to reclaim it in April.
