By Ryan Allan: This coming Saturday sees British fighter James “Chunky” DeGale head stateside to Boston for a shot at the IBF Super Middleweight title as he takes on former Carl Froch opponent, Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell with the fight to be shown live at the more reasonable hour of 0100 CET or there or thereabouts on Sunday morning.

DeGale has just 1 defeat to his name since turning pro 7 years ago following his Gold medal at the summer Olympics in Beijing of 2008 and is looking to become the first British man to win a world title as well as an Olympic Gold medal.

If DeGale can achieve this feat, he will join an illustrious list alongside the likes of Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis and Pernell Whittaker as men who have won Olympic Gold and then gone on to win world honours in the professional game.

Harlesden born DeGale has looked impressive in recent knock-out wins over Brandon Gonzalez and most recently in his title eliminator against Marco Antonio Periban and while Dirrell is a step up for DeGale, I believe he has every chance to win the vacant title against the tricky American.

Dirrell is of course best remembered in the UK for his narrow points defeat to Carl Froch in a poor fight in Nottingham some years ago in the super 6 tournament, and while he is a tall, rangy and slippery fighter, I expect that DeGale has enough boxing skill to get the result he so badly craves.

When Dirrell fought Froch back in 2010, the American believed he had won the fight but running around Nottingham while a lumbering Carl Froch chases you is not really enough to be declared a new champion in my eyes (or indeed those of the judges).

Dirrell wasn’t happy but had a chance to remedy matters in his subsequent match with German based Arthur Abraham. Dirrell was awarded a controversial victory against Abraham who was disqualified for hitting the American while he was down and to be fair to Dirrell, this was a justified DQ although it looked at the time like Dirrell was happy to find a way out of a fight he was beginning to feel the pace in.

Dirrell didn’t fight for another 18 months following that incident with Abraham as a result of supposed neurological complications and since his return to action he has strung together 5 wins with 3 KO’s against a string of no name opponents and whether he is now ready for DeGale’s speed and skillful style has to be doubted.

At 31, I doubt Dirrell’s best days are in front of him and with no real solid wins to his name in a long time, (if ever) I don’t feel he should be odds on favourite at 4/5 with DeGale priced at even money (1/1).

DeGale has the skills, movement and punching power to give Dirrell some serious trouble and my only reservations are of course that this fight is being staged in Boston and as the away fighter, DeGale will probably need to be a clear winner if he is going to get a decision from the judges

In his last 2 fights, DeGale has really started to sit down on his punches and looks to now carry the power to match his speed and skills and I believe he has enough ability and punching power to claim the win and become Britain’s first Olympic Gold medalist to win a world title.

I expect a close fight with DeGale’s speed and strength seeing him take over the later rounds and edge to a majority decision. You can back DeGale at to 2/1 win on points and that will be my best bet here.

It could be a tough fight to watch with both fighters holding similar style but I feel the edge is with “Chunky” and I expect him to claim the prize and become the UK’s first Olympic Gold medalist to become a world champion.

Andre Dirrell v James DeGale – Live on Sky Sports – Saturday 2300 CET

Bo’s Best Bets

James DeGale to win on points @2/1