DeGale vs Jack: IBF champion James DeGale confident of victory after making weight
Saturday 14 January 2017 12:31, UK
James DeGale insisted he would not be surprised if he knocked out Badou Jack after both champions successfully made weight for their unification fight.
IBF champion DeGale will battle WBC title holder Jack at the Barclays Center in New York in the early hours of Sunday, live on Sky Sports, and the super-middleweights looked in peak condition on the scales.
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The American entered the stage first and flexed his muscles to his home crowd after coming in three quarters of a pound inside the 168lb mark, while DeGale mouthed the word "easy" when he tipped the scales at one-and-a-half pounds inside the limit.
As they went head to head for the customary photographs, DeGale refused to look away from Jack, and vowed to prove he is the no 1 fighter in the division.
“I looked into his eyes, but I couldn’t really get much, but it’s on," DeGale told Sky Sports News HQ. "The talking is done, the training has been done. We get in the ring on Saturday to find out who is the best super-middleweight in the world. Let’s get it on.
“I can go at it for 12 rounds, not lay on the ropes, not have any rounds off. That’s what I’m going to prove to everybody on Saturday.
That’s all I want to do - is win the WBC and IBF - but don’t be surprised if he gets knocked out.
“I’m going to put on a fantastic performance, because I have to, because Badou Jack is a quality fighter."
Asked for a pre-fight prediction, DeGale added: “Don’t be surprised if he gets knocked out, but a win is a win.
“That’s all I want to do - is win the WBC and IBF - but don’t be surprised if he gets knocked out."
On the undercard, Jose Pedraza successfully made the weight for his IBF super-featherweight title defence against Gervonta Davis, who was also inside the limit.
Watch James DeGale v Badou Jack in a unification fight from the Barclays Center, New York, live on Sky Sports 1, 2am, Sunday, January 15. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
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