IBF super middleweight champion, James DeGale (21-1, 14ko) has predicted that he will end veteran Canadian former champion, Lucian Bute (32-2, 25ko) inside 3 rounds when the two square off in Canada at the end of this month.
DeGale will again travel to North America on the 28th, following his title winning effort over Andre Dirrell in Boston back in May, and has told fighthype.com that he is feeling as good as ever and senses a knockout finish against the 35 year old Bute.
“I’m feeling good, I can’t wait to get over to Canada and put on a good show,” he said.
“I’ve got to this stage [in my career] now where it’s about earning money, building some sort of name and leave some sort of legacy behind for my retirement years to come. I’m in my prime now, so the next 3 or 4 years is when I’ll be in some massive fights.
“I’m the best out there and I wanna box for that Ring belt. You tell me a fighter better than me in my division?
“I honestly think I’m gonna knock [Bute] out, stop him. I think I’m gonna stop him in 3 rounds, but let’s say between rounds 1 to 6.”
Yet the real prize for DeGale remains unification fights, and winning that aforementioned Ring belt, with the Londoner suggesting that a fight next year with WBC champion, Badou Jack is the one which appeals to him the most.
“Me and Badou Jack can unify titles, [and] with the Ring belt?,” ‘Chunky’ said of the immediate future and the prospect of the fight with the Swedish ‘Money Team’ member.
“Let’s get it on!”
Twitter @undilutedpoison