Tuesday 13 December 2016 16:18, UK
James DeGale's unification fight against Badou Jack in New York will be shown exclusively live on Sky Sports.
DeGale puts his IBF world super-middleweight title on the line against WBC champion Jack at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on January 14.
'Chunky' had been pushing for a unification clash ever since he was crowned world champion in May 2015 and is relishing his upcoming fight with Jack, who is promoted by Floyd Mayweather.
"This is the best fighting the best and this fight will prove who's the best in the division - and I believe I am the No 1 super-middleweight on the planet," DeGale told Sky Sports.
"Unification fights like this are still rare, never mind the best fighting the best, and me and Jack both wanted the fight.
"We both want to prove who is the best and everyone is in for a treat on January 14."
Jack won the WBC belt after a points win over Anthony Dirrell in April 2015, while DeGale beat the older Dirrell brother, Andre, for the IBF version, to become the first British fighter to win Olympic gold and be crowned a professional world champion.
Sweden-born Jack is making his third title defence after edging out George Groves in a split decision as chief support to Mayweather's retirement fight in Las Vegas, and then drawing with Lucian Bute, with the former world champion failing a subsequent drugs test.
"This is going to be one hell of a fight," said Jack.
"DeGale is the real deal, he's a road warrior who comes to America to fight the best and this is the two best fighting each other, but I'm the No 1."
Callum Smith is the mandatory challenger for the WBC super-middleweight title and is expected to be ringside at the Barclays Center next month as he prepares to face the winner of DeGale-Jack.
The January card also features IBF world super-featherweight champion Jose Pedraza, who defended his title with a points win over Callum's brother Stephen in April, and will next face the unbeaten American Gervonta Davis.
Head of Sky Sports boxing, Adam Smith, said: "Next year is going to be one of the biggest years yet for Sky Sports boxing - with the confirmation of Haye-Bellew and AJ-Klitschko - so what better way to kick it off than with this crunch world title unification match-up as James DeGale tackles Badou Jack in New York.
"James has been a terrific road warrior winning and defending the world crown across the pond, but this is without doubt his toughest test so far, taking on Jack and Team Mayweather.
"It is a fascinating fight and with Callum Smith the WBC mandatory challenger and George Groves in line for a WBA shot, the super-middleweight scene looks set to thrill us all over again next year."
