James DeGale says he is feeling “real good” in the build up to his fight against Dyah Davis at Glow, Bluewater on Saturday.
27-year-old DeGale, and MBE, will defend his WBC Silver super-middleweight title against the American “Dangerous” Dyah Davis on Saturday night, in a fight that will also be televised live on Channel 5.
Speaking to KSN, DeGale said: “I haven’t boxed since June, but I’ve constantly been in the gym for the last couple of months, so I’m going to be super fit on November 16 and I can’t wait to box again.”
His opponent, Davis, is still likely to provide DeGale with a stern test, having previously been NABF champion.
“He’s a decent fighter”, admitted the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games gold medallist. “In his second-to-last fight, he went 10 rounds with Sakio Bika, the reigning WBC [Super middleweight] world champion, so he’s mixed it with some quality opposition – it will be a good, solid test.”
DeGale’s thoughts are on further progression following this fight, however.
“If I stick on a good performance here and do a good job on him, in the next fight or two, I should be boxing for a world title. That’s where Mick Hennessey comes in – he’s my promoter. It’s not about treading water now – I’m 16-1 as a professional and I’m at the time in my career now where I should be boxing for a world title.”
“I’ve only been pro for four and a half years. I’ve been Olympic Champion as an amateur and as a professional I’ve been British [Champion] and European [Champion] in the space of four years. I’m doing alright, and as I say, in the next couple of fights, I want to be boxing for a world title. I’d like to retire in 10 years time as an all-time great – that would be fantastic.”
The London-born boxer will be sure to want to put on a good show for his fans at the Kent venue, with packed stands sure to lead to a great atmosphere.
“It holds 3,000 people. It’s been full [at DeGale’s previous fights there] and a great atmosphere so I’m looking forward to that once again.”
“Every time you get in the ring you want to put on a show – it’s entertainment as well. I want to stick on a show and I want to prove to people that I’m ready to mix it with the very, very best in the world.”
With the fight televised, as well as plenty of tickets available at reasonable prices, the night is sure to be good to enhance DeGale’s reputation.
“It’s fantastic. It’s great exposure on Channel 5. You get a million plus viewers, so it’s great.
“It’s a great night of boxing. You’ve got all the prospects coming up, you’ve got an Olympic Gold Medallist from 2008 boxing on the bill. You can get there a couple of hours early and go and do a bit of shopping and then go and watch a quality night of boxing! If I was the general public, I’d get down there!
“The undercard will be packed out with some good talent, so get down there!”
Ticket Information
Tickets for November 16th are priced from £40 and are available to purchase from the following box offices:
From 11.00am Monday 7th October:
Hennessy Sports box office on 01925 755 222
From 2.00pm Wednesday 9th October:
Ticketline on 0844 888 4402 and online at ticketline.co.uk
Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2500 or online at ticketmaster.co.uk