James DeGale agrees world title unification fight with Badou Jack in Las Vegas
Tuesday 23 August 2016 11:20, UK
James DeGale has agreed to a Las Vegas showdown with Badou Jack and says negotiations for the world title unification fight are "nearly there".
The IBF super-middleweight champion stoked up his rivalry with WBC title holder Jack by trading words on social media and the Londoner has revealed he is happy for the fight to be staged in Jack's adopted hometown.
DeGale has been absent from the ring since defending his belt with a points win over Rogelio Medina in March, but expects a meeting with Jack to be confirmed for a date in either October or November.
"It's nearly there," DeGale exclusively told Sky Sports. "It feels like I haven't really been around, but don't worry, I'm working quietly, I'm still training hard.
"Everything hasn't been confirmed fully yet, but it's nearly there. I was just having a bit of banter with Badou Jack, saying make sure my belt is shiny and ready for when I beat you.
It's every boxer's dream to go to Las Vegas. I've agreed to do that.
"All I want to do is have my unification fight and win that WBC title. I'm willing to go anywhere. It's every boxer's dream to go to Las Vegas. I've agreed to do that.
"I'm a prizefighter, but this isn't all about money. The belts mean so much more. When I leave the sport and people talk about my name and put me up there with great fighters, that means so much more than the money.
"I've heard people talk about my money demands. I would box Badou Jack for free. The money is nothing to me, but obviously it helps."
As part of his preparations, DeGale is planning to spar former light-heavyweight world champion Nathan Cleverly, and admits he is full of respect for Jack, who defeated George Groves on points last September.
"This is a very, very tough fight," he said. "A lot of people think it's a foregone conclusion and basically I'm going to batter him, but this is a tough fight.
"If I'm not 100 per cent on point, I could lose. I've got to train hard, I've got to be focused and I've got to be at my best to beat Badou Jack."
