IBF super-middleweight champion, James DeGale, says he will stop Lucian Bute in front of the challenger’s home fans in Quebec on Saturday night, warning the Canadian that he is out to ‘finish the job’ after Carl Froch previously exposed him in 2012.
Bute travelled to Nottingham, England, that night 3 1/2 years ago, and surrendered his title inside 5 destructive rounds – a performance that for many fans finished the now-35-year-old – who DeGale claims also ‘folds a little bit’ when he is tagged, something ‘Chunky’ plans on doing hard, and often.
“I watched him against Carl Froch … I watched him against Librado Andrade. There’s something missing. He folds a little bit when he gets hit,” DeGale said. “Lucian Bute’s very good in the centre of the ring — boxing, jabbing, moving at his own pace.
“Froch exposed him, just exposed his weaknesses. That’s all. I think I’ll finish the job, especially just looking into his eyes. I think I’ll finish the job, 100%.”
It’s a sentiment shared by DeGale’s trainer, Jim McDonnell, who says his fighter will be unfazed by again boxing away from home, especially given he travelled the world in an amateur career that spawned Olympic gold in 2008.
Coupled with the Londoner’s fitness levels, McDonnell sees his fighter ending matters early against the veteran, and has warned the fans watching on not to blink on the night.
“He has an amazing mentality. His psychological strength’s amazing. He has the fastest hands I’ve seen in boxing since Sugar Ray Leonard. He’s very dedicated and trains like a beast; I have to make him rest. He’s just the full package,” McDonnell said.
“[DeGale’s] a beast over 12 rounds. Thirty-six minutes for him’s nothing. This kid will be a superstar. I have a feeling this is going to be a career-best performance [against Bute], based on what he has been doing in the gym. He’s powerful. Don’t blink — trust me.”
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