JAMES DEGALE IS OUT TO “SEND A STATEMENT” WHEN HE FACES GEVORG KHATCHIKIAN

London (10 February) James DeGale MBE is out to “send a statement” when he defends his WBC Silver super middleweight title against the undefeated Gevorg Khatchikian at the City Academy, Bristol, on March 1st, live on Channel 5.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Gold Medallist, DeGale, feels that after his performance in Bristol, Badou Jack may not even want to face him in their WBC sanctioned final eliminator.

“You can really expect me to go in there and do the business – I can’t see this going the full 12 rounds – I’m looking to send a statement to Jack,” DeGale said.

“After this performance, I’m not too sure if he’s (Jack) going to want to fight me, but, he’s going to have to if he wants a chance at that world title.

“But, I’m taking it one fight at a time and I’m looking forward to this one on March 1st.”

James meets the Netherlands based Khatchikian ahead of his WBC sanctioned final eliminator against Mayweather Promoted Badou Jack.

With the Jack contest in the private negotiation period, DeGale headlines a packed show in Bristol against the former IBO Youth champion, Khatchikian, who successfully extended his record to 20-0 two weeks ago.

Also scheduled to fight on the March 1st show is Bristol’s own British bantamweight champion Lee Haskins, undefeated heavyweight sensation Hughie Lewis Fury and a whole host of talent, including local Bristol fighters Dan Sarkozi, Lee Nutland, Ashley Lane and Dane Kelly, along with Gloucester’s Wayne Ingram and Weston Super-Mare’s Liam Hunt in his professional debut.