British super-middleweight James DeGale has insisted that he has trained too hard to miss out on claiming the IBF title against Andre Dirrell on Saturday night.
DeGale and Dirrell will meet in Boston for the belt made vacant by Carl Froch, and the 2008 Olympic gold medallist has made it clear to his American opponent that he is confident of securing victory on his Stateside debut.
The 29-year-old told Sky Sports News: "I have trained too hard for this, I am really up for this and I can't wait for tomorrow. It's been a long time, a long 16 weeks training and it all comes down to this.
"It's all on. I will be the new champion. We have both been extremely respectful, but he got in my face a bit at the weigh-in and told me it has got serious. But I was serious two months ago. I am on it."
DeGale has won 20 of his 21 matches in the professional ranks, while Dirrell has only suffered defeat to Froch in his 25-fight career.
Darren Plant
