DeGale gunning for historic world championship triumph over Dirrell

“History is going to be made, I’m telling you. I’ve trained too hard, I’ve come too far in my career to fail now. It would mean everything to me,” he continued.

“I keep saying it’s time to make history and to be the first British Olympic gold medallist to win a world title is going to be special.”

Both fighters have lost just once in their careers to date, with DeGale having suffered his only setback in 21 professional bouts against George Groves in 2011, but his next opposition is being spurred on by a shock title loss within his family and is 15/8 win a points decision.

Dirrell’s younger brother Anthony was recently deposed as WBC super-middleweight champion in Chicago, despite being the overwhelming favourite to retain the title, but his stunning defeat to Badou Jack is inspiring the older sibling towards victory against DeGale.

“I feel great, I feel like a champion, I’ve worked my butt off and I’m ready to go.”

The American, nicknamed ‘the Matrix’, has an Olympic medal of his own, having received bronze during the 2004 Athens games, but he failed in his only other world title shot in 2009 when he was overcome by Froch when they fought for the WBC crown in Nottingham.

“Yes it hurt [Froch defeat]. For anybody naturally it would. I know all my talents, I know what I possess and not being able to perform was just like being locked up,” continued Dirrell.

“It was like I had the handcuffs on. I had all this talent but no opportunity to do anything about it. I know I’m pound-for-pound and this year I will prove it.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a different fighter these days. To change my whole style up would be pretty much impossible for any fighter to do. What I did was critique my style, make it better, make it sharper and bring a stronger mental aspect of it. I’m a more seasoned fighter now.”

Dirrell’s last stoppage victory came at the end of last year, halting Derek Edwards in the fourth round and is 9/2 for another KO triumph, while DeGale is 15/8 to gain a historic win by decision.

Watch DeGale get taunted by Dirrell’s brother during a live media workout with his trainer.
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