James DeGale vows to unify division ahead of Rogelio Medina bout

James DeGale has vowed to unify the super middleweight division and claimed he is "levels above" opponent Rogelio 'Porky' Medina ahead of their bout on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

The IBF super middleweight champion warned Badou Jack and Lucian Bute, who fight on the same card in Washington DC that he is "coming for the winner" but seemed especially interested in a bout with WBC champion Jack.

DeGale has given himself a new alias, 'The Road Warrior' and will fight overseas again in the US capital to defend the IBF belt he won against Andre Dirrell in Boston and kept by outpointing Bute in Quebec.

"Fight time is here, I'm feeling good, feeling fresh. I've trained extremely hard," he said. "Porky Medina is a good fighter in his own right, a very good fighter, but there are levels to professional boxing and I feel as though I am levels above him.

"On Saturday night I am going to show you a real performance. My last two performances have gone the distance, this time it won't.

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"Best of luck to Badou Jack and Lucian Bute, that's a great top of the bill, trust me, but I am coming for the winner. I want to unify the division."

DeGale later revealed to Sky Sports News HQ that he had taken the opportunity to remind Jack of his intentions while posing for pictures and said he is relishing his time in America.

When asked if he had spoken to Jack, DeGale added: "I said you're next. That green belt is coming over very, very soon.

"I want a new fresh name on my record. He [Jack] seems like he is growing as a champion, he is getting confident, he wears his shades, he thinks he's the man but when he gets in the ring with me I've got no question that I will beat him. He's got to get past Lucien Bute first so we'll see.

"I remember years ago my grandad, he has passed away now, God rest his soul, but I remember when I was little he said 'they are going to love you in America' and it feels like everything is coming true, it is great."

There was a late start to the press conference because no car was sent to pick DeGale up by Mayweather Promotions, but he said he would not let mind games get in his head before the fight with the Mexican.  

"I was late but I got here. The turnout was good and I enjoyed it," he added. "Probably [mind games] but that doesn't faze me, I'm in the zone, I'm feeling good and can't wait to perform on Saturday and it is going to be a good show, trust me.

"I'm just very confident going into this fight. My last two performances have been against top quality operators whereas this time round, it is still a fight with Medina, but I've had a bit of a touch here, my mandatory challenger, I'm getting paid but it is not as hard as my last two fights.

"I've got to put on a performance, this guy shouldn't go 12 rounds with me, I've got to put on a good performance and look good. I'm super fit, I've just got to concentrate, be switched on and I'll be fine."

Medina's last four wins all came from knockout within the first three rounds but DeGale said he does not see a real threat coming from the 27-year-old.

"The quality of opponents he has been fighting have been little geezers in Mexico and that's no disrespect to him, he has got a good win on his record and that's J'Leon Love where he knocked him out and Love was undefeated, very good skilful fighter but there are levels to boxing," he said.

"I feel as though I come from good pedigree, I won my world title on the road and willing to defend it on the road so this guy isn't going to stop my progression."