JAMES “CHUNKY” DEGALE’S next defence of his IBF super-middleweight title against Rogelio “Porky” Medina has been confirmed for April 30 at the DC Armory in Washington. DeGale is a clear favourite but said, “I’ve never disrespected an opponent yet in the ring and I’m not going to start now. Medina has a very good record and that means he is as dangerous and the next man. This is boxing and unless you prepare properly you get found out. I’m not going down that avenue. I’m a winner and what I do is get in the ring and win. That’s what Medina is up against – a world champion and a winner.”
James did insist, “I’m too good for him, too fast, too strong, too quick. I’ll beat him and it is just a question of how. I don’t care how it comes as long as I look good and I give the fans what they want, another winning performance and a reminder that I am the best super-middleweight out there operating today.”
“I respect Medina, but I belong in a different level and I will show that on April 30,” he continued, “I’m looking forward to it because this is another chance to show what I can do in America and it is also a mini-tournament. The winner of my fight faces the winner of Badou Jack and Lucian Bute and that means a world unification clash. I want to clean up the division and I have the opportunity to do that.
“I think Jack will win, but I’ve been in the ring with Bute and I know how strong he is. He is a proper fighter and I would always give him a chance against anyone. I think Jack will be too good for him, but who knows? I hope it is Jack as I’ve already taken care of business against Bute, but I want to unify the titles and that means I will fight whoever is put in front of me.”
DeGale is keen to bring that unification fight to England. “I’ve no trouble fighting in the US and never will. I would love to win again and take on the winner of Jack and Bute in London, but that is down the line. What I am concentrating on right now is the next person who is standing in my way and that is Medina,” he said.
“I can’t wait to get back in action because I live for fighting. It is in my blood and I know that a win over Medina means a very lucrative fight with Jack or Bute. I’m in this to make me financially comfortable for the rest of my life but above all, I’m in it for the glory.
“The day I became world champion was the best of my life, along with winning Olympic gold, and I don’t want to be a world champion for a few months. I want to be recognized as one of the greats in the super-middleweight division. That means win a title and defend it against all-comers, anywhere and everywhere.”
