Express & Star

James DeGale insists he won't 'do an Audley'

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James DeGale today vowed to succeed where Audley Harrison failed and become the first British Olympic gold medalist to win a world title.

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'Chunky' has been handed the fight date of Saturday May 23, travelling to the United States to co-challenge with Andre Dirrell in Boston,

writes Craig Birch.

They contest the IBF super middleweight title vacated by Carl Froch, who has beaten Dirrell on points and avoided DeGale, the latter claims.

The 29-year-old spoke to the Express & Star from this week's training base at St George's Park, the Football Association's national centre near Burton-on-Trent.

DeGale said: "It's been a long time coming, with all of the negotiations and losing purse bids and whatever, but I have got my date now and all of my focus is on that.

"Carl Froch didn't want to fight me. If he did, he would have kept the belt. He decided to vacate so, obviously, he wasn't too keen. Now, I just want to go over there and make history.

"There isn't a harder fight out there for a world title, in my opinion. He's technically sound and tricky, but I am confident I can take the chance with both hands."

The details of the bout, after purse bids were won by Dirrell's camp, were released on the same day that Harrison hung up his gloves for good.

The 43-year-old insists this time it's permanent after two previous retirements, claiming he has brain injuries and is facing financial ruin.

It could be a sobering thought for DeGale as he looks fulfil his own potential, but he's adamant his path won't follow the same trajectory.

He said: "Mine and Audley's careers are totally different, the only thing we have in common is that we have both won an Olympic gold medal. You can't compare us, really.

"It's a great honour, but it doesn't necessarily mean you are going to be a world champion as a professional. He's not the only one to have found that out."

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