By Terence Dooley
James DeGale challenges for Paul Smith's British super-middleweight crown at the ECHO Arena, Liverpool next Saturday night as he bids to emulate London rival George Groves, who won his first title, the Commonwealth belt, in his ninth fight. DeGale, 8-0 (6), believes that he will come through his toughest test to date to claim with the Lonsdale belt, although he expects to be pushed all the way by the champion.
“I’m expecting it to be very hostile but I’m ready for this,” he said when talking to boxingfutures.com about the prospect of fighting in front of Smith's fans. “In fact I was made for this! Smith is a warrior, he’s the best super-middleweight on the British level without a doubt and that’s why he’s got the belt but I just feel that I’m better than him in every department.”
Carl Froch's landslide points win over Arthur Abraham has set a high benchmark for the next wave of British contenders – 'The Cobra' is out there on his own as the dominant 168lb fighter here in the UK. However, 'Chunky', an Olympic gold medallist in 2008, is convinced that he is on the fast track to the top.
“Carl Froch was excellent the other night; he boxed to perfection and showed a different part to his game. But I don’t think I’m far off those guys at all. They’ve got another year of the [Super Six] tournament and if everything goes to plan then in about 18 months I’ll be ready to mix it with them.”
Smith will have his own ideas, the 28-year-old, nicknamed 'Real Gone Kid', has a 29-1 (15) record and must be chomping at the bit; he will be desperate to show people that his inexperienced opponent has bitten off more than he can chew. This is Paul's third defence, he won the previous two by standing firm against Tony Quigley and Tony Dodson, both of whom had more experience than DeGale; the champion may feel that his grit and experience will overcome James' mercurial southpaw skills.
Tickets for the Return of the Magnificent Seven, priced at £40, £50, £100, £150 and £250, are available from:
The Liverpool Echo Arena
0844 800 0400
www.echoarena.com
Ticketmaster
0844 844 0444
www.ticketmaster.co.uk
See Tickets
0871 220 0260
www.seetickets.com
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