Monday 19 December 2016 17:44, UK
James DeGale is right to focus on his world title unification clash with Badou Jack and not a potential fight with Callum Smith, says the Liverpudlian's trainer Joe Gallagher.
IBF champion DeGale will battle WBC title holder Jack at the Barclays Center in New York on January 14, live on Sky Sports, and Smith is expected to face the winner.
The 26-year-old Merseysider is the mandatory challenger for the WBC belt after 22 straight wins, but DeGale has insisted he is "not losing any sleep" over a possible fight with Smith.
Gallagher played down DeGale's remarks, telling Sky Sports: "I agree with him, it should be all about Badou Jack, and if he was thinking about Callum Smith then he wouldn't have his mind 100 per cent on Badou Jack.
If I was James DeGale, I wouldn't be losing sleep over Callum Smith at the moment, because he's got a tough fight in Badou Jack.
"Badou Jack is first and foremost in Jame DeGale's career at the moment. He's got to take care of that, win that belt, and then obviously we have the Callum Smith fight.
"If I was James DeGale, I wouldn't be losing sleep over Callum Smith at the moment, because he's got a tough fight in Badou Jack."
Jack has previously beaten George Groves and has the backing of Floyd Mayweather's promotional company, however, Gallagher expects DeGale to raise his standards in his toughest fight to date.
"I think we're going to see the best James DeGale that we've seen in a long time," said Gallagher.
"I think James DeGale has got a good chance of schooling Badou Jack - he's a very good fighter, DeGale.
"Badou Jack is a good world champion, who has improved in his last few performances, but I do think DeGale, his switch hitting, his change of feet up close, will cause Jack huge problems."
