James DeGale: 'Distance will be the key factor against Brandon Gonzales'

British super-middleweight James DeGale has insisted that Brandon Gonzales won't have the stamina to last 12 rounds in their contest at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.

The bout, which is a final eliminator for the IBF title, is the chief support to the rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves, and DeGale believes that he is in prime position to earn a shot at the winner of that fight.

The 28-year-old told reporters: "He's a good, unbeaten fighter who really thinks that he is going to win but the telling factor in this fight is going to be the distance.

"This guy has never been 12 rounds whereas I have been 12 rounds five times. That's in you. You don't get fit for 12 rounds over a 10-week camp - it takes years."

DeGale enters the encounter having won 18 of his 19 professional fights, while Gonzales is unbeaten in 20 matches.