DeGale to face hard-hitting Colombian on March 23

James DeGale (R) wants a rematch with old rival George Groves Hennessy Sports have today announced a replacement opponent for James DeGale MBE after complications with the Pablo Oscar Natalio Farias fight. The Olympic Gold Medallist and WBC number four contender will now defend his WBC Silver super middleweight title against Alexander Brand on March 23rd at Glow, Bluewater.
The former WBC Latino champion from Bogota, Colombia is ranked number 10 by the WBC he is also the longest tenured fighter in the history of the Colombian Olympic team and is the only fighter from Colombia with 437 amateur fights.  In these 437 amateur fights, he only lost 20 times.
Mick Hennessy said: "To cover ourselves opponent wise my agent in North America has been talking to Brand for the last few weeks and we're delighted we have now got a top 10 fighter for James to prove once again that he is a top world class fighter on the march to world honours."
"Brand is a world class fighter that not only had a brilliant amateur career but also holds a professional record of 19-1.” Said DeGale "But that could have been 20-0 as his only loss was a split decision over 8 rounds and I know the feeling losing on a split decision."
"Once I've got passed this Colombian puncher who has 15 knockouts in his 20 fights,  I will be sitting down with my promoter Mick Hennessy and looking to the big fights later this year maybe against the winner of Kessler and Froch or a rematch against Groves, before going after Andre Ward.”
Supporting James DeGale MBE at Glow will be the son of the legend, middleweight sensation Chris Eubank Jnr in his 10th pro fight.
Elsewhere, Hatton Promotions have announced the signing of 2012 London Olympian Damien Hooper.
The 22-year-old Australian light-heavyweight, who is from a proud aboriginal heritage, defeated Marcus Browne of the United States last summer prior to being edged out by Russia's eventual gold medallist Egor Mekhontcev.
Before that Hooper had won a gold medal at the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore and a silver at the Youth World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan that same year.
A number of promotional outfits were interested in obtaining the Aussie puncher's signature, but he feels Ricky Hatton is the right man to lead him to success in the professional side of the sport.
"I feel privileged to be signed with Hatton Promotions, the team is fantastic and Ricky is a legend," Damien said.
"I'm going to make some big statements quickly in the pro ranks and I couldn't think of a better promoter than Hatton Promotions to showcase my skill to the world.
"It's the next chapter in my life and I've been looking forward to this for quite some time. I have done my apprenticeship in amateurs and learnt as much possible. Now with my trainer Gareth Williams it's time to put in the hard work and repay the faith everybody has shown in me."
Details of Damien's professional debut will be announced shortly.