IBF super middleweight champion, James DeGale (21-1,14ko), says that assuming he gets past his Nov. 28 date with Lucian Bute in Canada, then a big unification with WBC champion, Badou Jack is firmly on his radar.
The Londoner, who is with influential advisor, Al Haymon, won his title on the PBC platform against Andre Dirrell in Boston back in May, and makes the maiden defence of his IBF trinket out in the veteran’s Canadian backyard, also under the PBC banner.
It’s a fight DeGale says he is more than confident of winning, despite the risk the former champion still presents, and no doubt victory over Bute will cap a fantastic year for the Beijing 2008 gold medalist, who also claims he is keen to make 2016 an even bigger success by scalping Swedish ‘Money Team’ member and WBC titlist Badou Jack.
“I want unification fights against big names,” ‘Chunky’ told Sky Sports.
“The Jack fight would be massive. Unifying titles against a good quality fighter like him. I wouldn’t mind if it was in Las Vegas or if it was at Emirates Stadium (London). We’ll get through this one [against Bute] first and then see next year.”
The two were set to meet in an IBF eliminator some time ago before Jack was beaten in a round by Derek Edwards in a stunning upset in Feb last year, though with the Swede’s career having come full circle since that point – thanks to his own upset win over Anthony Dirrell to claim the title in April – a huge unification between them is a realistic possibility given the Haymon connection.
Jack last beat DeGale’s bitter rival, George Groves, to retain his title in September on the Mayweather/Berto under card.
DeGale fights Lucien Bute on Nov.28 at the Videotron Centre, Quebec, Canada. Sky Sports will screen in the UK.
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