James DeGale attempts to become the first British boxer to win Olympic gold and a professional crown when he faces American Andre Dirrell in a Saturday southpaw showdown.
DeGale, the 2008 Beijing Olympic middleweight champion making his US debut, would claim the vacant International Boxing Federation super middleweight title with a victory over Dirrell.
“I’m obsessed with making history. It’s what drives me to work so hard in the gym,” DeGale said. “I’m going to show everybody who I am. I’m driven to become the first Olympic gold medalist from the UK to win a world title and I’m doing it for my country.”
DeGale, 20-1 with 14 knockouts, suffered his only loss in 2011, a majority decision setback in London at the hands of compatriot George Groves. But the 29-year-old Englishman has won 10 fights in a row since, most recently by stopping Mexico’s Marco Periban in the third round last November.
“My time is here,” DeGale said. “The way I’ve been in the gym training, sparring, running, I honestly think you’re going to see the performance of my career so far. I’m confident. I’m feeling good and I’m motivated very well at the minute.
“I’m going in there and I’m taking the title. I’m ripping it away from him.”
Dirrell, 24-1 with 16 knockouts, seeks his seventh win in a row since suffering his only defeat, which came in his only prior chance at a world title. Dirrell dropped a 2009 split decision at the hands of Britain’s Carl Froch in England for the World Boxing Council super middleweight crown.
“I’m happy to get a shot at another title,” Dirrell said. “I’m not going to take it for granted. I’m going to put in my work and perform to the best of my ability and that will make me a world champion.
“I’m much hungrier than I was early in my career and I’m more focused mentally. With age comes wisdom. Everything I went through is all a blessing. My goals are set and I’m going to accomplish every one.”
DeGale says he is not taking his 31-year-old rival lightly but sees himself as the better boxer.
“We’re good, quality, young fighters,” DeGale said. “But I just think overall, I’m better. I think he struggles. He doesn’t like it when it gets hard in there. He’s a competent fighter, but he likes it when he’s dictating the pace and he’s on the front foot.”
Dirrell is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision over American Derek Edwards last December at Quebec City.
“I’m glad to be getting in there with somebody who believes he can win,” Dirrell said. “I want someone who will test me like I’ll test them. That’s a real championship fight.
“He feels like he’s an undefeated fighter. I feel like I’m an undefeated fighter, but we both have a lot to prove. I know I’m faster. I know I’m smarter and I know I’m a better boxer. It’s just as simple as that.”