It’s been officially confirmed that Britain’s IBF super middleweight champion James DeGale, will indeed face Canadian-based Romanian Lucien Bute on November 28th in Quebec, Canada.
The British former Olympic gold medalist is newly ‘advised’ by Al Haymon, and will be making the maiden defence of the title he won back in May by scalping Andre Dirrell in Boston, in doing so becoming the first British gold medal winning Olympian in history to go on and win a world title in the professional ranks.
“Bute is a world class, elite-level fighter who kept his world title for five years,” Degale said of his opponent who bounced back from 19 months out in August, breezing past the overmatched Andrea Di Luisa inside four one-sided rounds.
“Anyone who can do that deserves some serious respect. I’m the champion and he will be very fired up trying to win back his old title, but I’m too young, too fast, too skilful to let that happen.”
There is widespread belief that Bute simply hasn’t been the same fighter since he was famously “Cobra’d” by Carl Froch in Nottingham 3 years ago, surrendering the IBF strap he successfully defended 9 times previously, however he feels the chance of fighting in front of his hometown fans could well be the difference-maker.
“‘I am really happy to have this opportunity at this point of my career,” Bute said. “I lost my title in England against an English fighter and now, I will box in Quebec against another English boxer, for the same title I defended for five years. I am really motivated by this opportunity to regain the title I lost in 2012.
“The fact that the fight will take place in front of my fans in Quebec City, where I never lost, will be the factor that will make the difference. I give all my respect to the champion James DeGale for accepting to travel for his first defence, but the IBF belt will stay in Quebec November 28.”
Yet the champion is relishing the chance of boxing on the road once again and representing the UK, claiming locale will not make any difference when he comes up against the 35 year old Bute.
“I consider it a massive privilege to be a world champion, fighting for Great Britain,” DeGale said. “I went on the road to win my title and my first defence is on away soil as well, but I’m very comfortable with fighting abroad,” he added.
“I’m lucky enough to have boxed in Canada only a few years ago when I took on Sebastien Demers in Quebec in 2013. I met some great people out there, it is a lovely country and I can’t wait to get back. I beat Demers in a couple of rounds and I’d take the same result again.
“Whatever happens, however I win, I’m coming back with my belt.”
Sky Sports will show the fight live in the UK.
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