James DeGale to deliver 'best performance yet' in title showdown with Sam Horton

May 13 2010 By Tim Edwards

james degale

James DeGale says the only route bus driving boxer Sam Horton is taking in Saturday's title clash is straight to the canvas.

The Olympic gold medallist steps up to the championship distance of 12 rounds as he bids for the vacant WBA international super-middleweight belt at Upton Park.

The Hammersmith-born southpaw has yet to go beyond four rounds in his six fight professional career and he does not expect that to change against Horton, a bus driver in his native Dudley, West Midlands.

Horton, 24, has taken five weeks off work to train hard for his biggest fight yet. However, DeGale has promised to double deck Horton and inflict a second defeat in his 16 match pro career.

“I have heard he has taken time off to be full time for this fight, so he is taking it seriously, “ said Degale, also 24. “He has got a good record (15-1-0) but that is only on paper. Boxing is all about levels. I know what level I am at but he is hovering just below domestic.

“I am excited about the prospect of 12 rounds but there is no way it will go that far. I will give him a few rounds but I am definitely going to knock him out within four. It is new territory for me but I am ready for it. Without a doubt this will be my best performance yet.”

Never short of confidence, DeGale has made little alterations to his training regime but has upped the number of sparring sessions just in case Horton has the temerity to take him beyond the fourth. He recently completed 20 rounds of sparring with Wales' European, British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion, Nathan Cleverly.

“Training has been going very, very well,” he added. “The punching power has come on well and Jimmy (trainer Jim McDonnell) has got me turning my hips and hands. It is now at the point where I have been hurting people with shots.

“I am confident in my own ability and this is the first big stepping stone. Mark my words and believe me when I say I will be a British and Commonwealth champion by the end of the year.”

Horton, who has only managed two knock-outs from his 15 wins, is confident he can cause an upset.

He said: “I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I intend to show him (DeGale) that the higher you go the harder it becomes. I am ready for this moment. This is my chance and I am confident I can beat him.

“I will have my game plan and I will stick to it. Winning will change my life.”