Thursday 27 October 2016 14:45, UK
James DeGale says he will beat Badou Jack to prove he is the best super-middleweight on the planet.
The IBF world champion takes on the WBC holder in a huge unification fight in the United States on January 14.
The 168lb showdown is expected to take place either at the Barclays Center in New York or in Las Vegas, and DeGale believes it will put his name on the worldwide map if - and when - he wins.
This is the best fighting the best and this fight will prove who's the best in the division - and I believe I am the number one super-middleweight on the planet
"This is the best fighting the best and this fight will prove who's the best in the division - and I believe I am the number one super-middleweight on the planet," he told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview.
"Unification fights like this are still rare, never mind the best fighting the best, and me and Jack both wanted the fight. We both want to prove who is the best and everyone is in for a treat on January 14.
DeGale (23-1-KO14) will be making the third defence of the IBF title that saw him make British boxing history by adding a professional world title to his Olympic gold medal, with all of it happening on foreign soil.
'Chunky' beat Andre Dirrell to pick up the vacant belt in Boston last May and has since seen off Lucien Bute in Quebec City, Canada, and mandatory challenger Rogelio 'Porky' Medina in Washington DC last time out.
The 30-year-old has not boxed in the UK since since November 2014 and although he is still looking to top the bill on home soil, he believes fighting across the Atlantic is bringing the best out of him.
"I know it's a bit of banter, but I am the Road Warrior," DeGale added. "I go on the road to win my titles and defend my titles and it doesn't bother me. It doesn't faze me in the slightest.
"In fact, I enjoy it. It takes the pressure off me a little bit and I appreciate it when I come home with that title - or those two titles this time."
"You will see me become a unified world champion"
