James DeGale says fighting at home for the first time on Saturday means he’ll get a perfect preparation – a cup of tea and an afternoon in front of the telly. DeGale, the 2008 Olympic middleweight champion, boxes at Wembley Arena on February 13, his first fight in London since his success in Beijing. For his five previous professional outings, DeGale has boxed up and down the country – but is now relishing his big home coming on Frank Warren’s Night of the Champions. “I can’t wait to show all my fans, friends and family just what I can do,” said the 23-year-old.
“And what’s even better is that I can put my feet up in my own front room on the day of the fight..
“The most stress I’ll get will be making a cup of tea at home, and if I want to I can even walk to the venue!”
Meanwhile DeGale, who is 5-0 as a professional, has revealed that he’s been sparring HEAVYWEIGHTS in a bid to get in shape for opponent Matthew Barr.
“I had a great training camp working with two of the country’s best heavyweights, Danny Williams and John McDermott,” said DeGale.
“They’ve been hitting me with all they have got but I’ve taken their best shots and come firing back. It will definitely stand me in good stead on Saturday night and then as I move up in class.”
The super-middleweight added that he is targeting a title by the end of 2010, with the English, British and Commonwealth belts at 168 pounds firmly in his sights.
“I’m looking for a big year, five or six fights and a title as well,” said DeGale. “I’m ready to make that step up and start boxing over 10 and 12 rounds.”
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Mendoza Out To Punish Mitchell
Hitman Ignacio Mendoza has been taking tips from fellow countryman Breidis Prescott ahead of his clash with Kevin Mitchell. The Colombian, who is now based in Spain, tackles unbeaten Mitchell in a WBO Intercontinental lightweight title fight on February 13 at Wembley Arena on Frank Warren’s Night of the Champions. And he has vowed to avenge the defeat Mitchell inflicted on Prescott back in December. “Mitchell dented my country’s pride when he beat our national hero Breidis Prescott who destroyed Amir Khan,” said 26-year-old Mendoza.
“I will be out for revenge when we meet at Wembley and I will do to Mitchell what Breidis did to Khan,”
“Breidis said to me that he didn’t perform as he should have against Mitchell and has told me of his weaknesses.
“Prescott fought the wrong fight against Mitchell and tried to land one big punch and Mitchell outboxed him, but that won’t happen with me.
“I plan to rough him up a bit more and try and match him blow for blow and wear him down.”
Mendoza turned professional in his native Colombia in 2002 before moving to Spain, and he now has stopped 18 out of 34 opponents.
And he says that victory over Mitchell will be a big break through in his professional career.
“If I win then I can get a world title shot,” he said. “I take a lot of heart from the what happened when Prescott fought Amir Khan.
“Khan was supposed to be on the verge of a world title opportunity that night and Prescott was going to get knocked out, but looked what happened. I can do the same against Mitchell.”
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Chisora vs Baker at Wembley
Derek Chisora will tackle Carl “The Fridge” Baker on February 13 at Wembley Arena in an eliminator for the British heavyweight title. Baker holds a win over Danny Williams, who pulled out of a clash with Chisora last week. Del Boy appears to be a man that few domestic heavyweights fancy facing, after English champion Tyson Fury headed to America rather than take on his UK rival. But Baker, who beat Williams in last year’s Prizefighter tournament, has stepped up to the plate and is vowing to end Chisora’s unbeaten record.
However the Finchley hero, who will fight near his north London home, says that won’t happen.
“Baker’s going to be tough, but I’m ready to knock him out and show I’m the best in Britain,” stormed Chisora.
“I’m disappointed that I won’t be fighting for the British title against Williams, but my promoter Frank Warren has worked hard to make sure that this fight is an eliminator for the Lonsdale belt.
“I’ll get my hands on it later this year, and having to wait now will make it all the sweeter when I finally get to lift it.
“I’m just glad that someone had the bottle to face me in the end.
“Williams claimed he was injured, while Fury’s got a big mouth but no guts to back it up. He’s so scared of me I’m suprised he didn’t go all the way to Australia.
“Full respect to Baker for agreeing to the fight, but there’s only one winner, and that’s me.”
Baker, a 28-year-old southpaw from Sheffield who has previously won the British heavyweight title, insists that he will emerge victorious.
“Chisora’s an exciting young prospect but beating Williams had give me a massive confidence boost,” he said.
“I’m always in training, and although I’ve been given this fight at short notice, I’ll be in great shape on the night. I’m not coming to London to make up the numbers.
“It’s always been my dream to win the British title and I’ll be a step closer once I’ve knocked out Chisora.”
Tickets for ‘Night of the Champions’ priced at £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150, are available from:
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