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Two days before he departs for Canada, IBF Super Middleweight Champion James “Chunky” DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs) held an open media workout at the Stonebridge Boxing Club in London as he nears completion of a 10-plus week training camp for his title defense against former world champion and Canadian fan favorite, Lucian Bute (32-2, 25 KOs), of Montreal, on Saturday, Nov. 28, live on Showtime at 11 p.m. ET/PT from the Vidéotron Centre of Quebec City.
The event billed as “The Reclamation” is a presentation of Vidéotron.
Here’s what DeGale had to say on Monday:
James DeGale:
“I think I am the best super middleweight out there right now. There are hard fights in the division. Badou Jack is a good fighter, but I think I beat him and beat him well if I stay switched on for the full 12 rounds.
“Arthur Abraham is still a tough customer and hopefully Martin Murray can do the business. I think he will beat him, although it’s hard to win in Germany.
“I want to prove I am the best, I will go anywhere to do it and that’s why I am defending my title in Canada. All the world champions in Britain have great rivals on the doorstep, so it’s a really exciting time domestically as well for boxing in Britain right now – but I firmly believe I beat everyone in this division.
“I like boxing away from home – maybe it’s time I started being called ‘the road warrior’. I won my world title in Boston and now I am defending it in Canada against a classy opponent in Lucian Bute. I know it’s going to be a hard fight but I am ready for that.
“My sparring has been great, I am hitting great times on the track, I feel strong in the gym and I am just looking forward to it.
“Nothing changes under Jim McDonnell – it’s all about hard work, long runs up Hampstead Heath, 15 round sparring sessions, five minute rounds in the gym – I’m always in great shape. We haven’t changed anything really. If anything, we’ve had to just adjust the mindset and train like a challenger even though I am the champion. That’s the way you have to think.
“I feel fresh, sharp and ready. I travel on Wednesday and I am raring to go. I just can’t wait to get in there now. I wanted to get out there a good 10 days early to acclimate to the weather and the time. Once I am there, I feel even more switched on.”
In the Showtime Championship Boxing Nov. 28 co-feature, undefeated Eleider Alvarez (18-0, 10 KOs) meets Isaac Chilemba (24-2-2, 10 KOs) in a 12-round WBC Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator. The winner becomes the mandatory challenger to WBC 175-pound champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson.
Preceding the Showtime telecast will be fights on Showtime Extreme at 9 p.m. ET/PT: Undefeated, world-ranked Amir Imam (18-0, 15 KOs) faces Adrian Granados (14-3-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight match, unbeaten Oscar Rivas(17-0, 12 KOs) collides with Curtis Harper (12-4, 8 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight scrap and, time permitting, Custio Clayton (4-0, 3 KOs) will be opposed by Ivan Pereyra (19-5, 13 KOs) in a four/six-round welterweight bout.
Tickets are on sale at the Vidéotron Centre box office, on www.ticketmaster.ca, at GYM (514) 383-0666, at InterBox (450) 645-1077 or at Champion boxing club (514) 376-0980.
