Monday 30 November 2015 11:39, UK
James DeGale revealed that Tyson Fury's stunning victory over Wladimir Klitschko inspired him ahead of his own win over Lucian Bute on Saturday night.
Fellow-Brit Fury caused a huge upset by beating Klitschko in Germany to win the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles.
Then DeGale capped a brilliant night for British boxing by defending his IBF world super-middleweight title against Canadian Bute in Quebec, winning it 117-111, 117-111 and 116-112 on the cards.
"The Brits are flying right now," said DeGale. "Tyson pulled off the upset in Germany, I watched it in the hotel, it really did inspire me to go out and keep hold of my title.
"It gave me that extra push. I boxed in the amateurs with him and been around squads with him, and he's gone on to prove a lot of doubters wrong."
DeGale said his next target is the WBC belt held by Badou Jack, who beat George Groves on points in his last fight in Las Vegas.
"I am peaking now," said DeGale. "I don't want to waste any time, so in the next three and four years I want the big fights. I go to Jamaica on a family holiday on December 28, but when I get back, I am right back on it and I would like to be back out in April.
"I think I put on a good performance. I made it a competitive fight, a good exciting fight. It's all down to me. I could have been boring and moved and boxed him, I am at my best when I am in the pocket, ducking and throwing shots through the middle.
"I didn't take any risks, I was just flowing. I cruised through some of the middle rounds and I have to stop that, but it was a good fight to watch and I think people enjoyed it, that's the main thing."
DeGale is hoping any bout with Jack will take place in Vegas.
"I think the US networks like me and want me back in the US," he said. "I remember growing up and watching the likes of Prince Naseem Hamed go over to Madison Square Garden and Las Vegas, defending his belts, I looked at that and said one day I am going to do that, and that's what is happening now.
"It's a good 12 rounds against a top level opponent and I am only going to get better. I've beaten two elite fighters in my last two fights, and I've gone overseas to do it, and I want to do it all again by going to Las Vegas and unifying titles against Badou Jack."
