By Edward Chaykovsky
Andre Dirrell (24-1, 16KOs) is looking for a breakout performance on Saturday night, when faces Olympic gold medal winner James DeGale (20-1, 14KOs) with the vacant IBF super middleweight title at stake. The title fight will headline a Premier Boxing Champions card from Boston.
The fight is viewed as a 50-50 match between two of the better contenders in a loaded division of top talent. Dirrell feels that he certainly has several advantages over his talented opponent, who comes across the ocean to fight on American soil.
Dirrell feels that he has the advantage in speed, ring intellect and mental cunning.
"We're pretty much evenly matched and I actually like that scenario because I know I'm faster. I know I'm smarter and I know I'm a better boxer. It's just as simple as that. But, none of that can come into play without hard work, and I know he's worked his ass off, man. He has to come over to America just like I went over there to England to try to fight for a world championship," Dirrell said.
"I know what kind of guy I'm going to face come the 23rd. I've worked my butt off like I said, , and with those advantages, I've put the hard work in so I can display that. I just feel like I'll be the better man that night."