Showtime will televise the super middleweight unification title fight between Badou Jack and James DeGale early next year, the network announced. The two once-beaten champs will square off inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., in the main event of a solid card of fistic action on Jan. 14.
“I’m expecting a very tough fight from James DeGale,” said Jack. “But I’m very confident that I’m going to win the fight and become the unified champion. This is an incredible stage to be at Barclays Center and on Showtime and I’m going to take full advantage of it. I’m ready to make my mark as the best in the division.”
DeGale (23-1, 14 KOs) snatched the vacant IBF super middleweight title last May when he edged Andre Dirrell, dropping him twice en route to a unanimous decision. He defended it in November with a terrific back-and-forth battle with Bute where he again won a unanimous verdict and then in April, he did the same to Rogelio Medina. The Brit is excited to be fighting another elite opponent in Jack and he knows what’s at stake.
“I am so happy that this fight has finally been made,” said DeGale. “This is the best fighting the best. This is what boxing is all about. Badou Jack is a very good fighter and he’s underrated. I am going to have to be 100 percent on my game to beat him, but I am confident I will deliver on January 14. I have already fulfilled my dream of becoming a world champion and now it is time to unify.”
Showtime also revealed that Jose Pedraza (22-0, 12 KOs) will put his IBF super featherweight title on the line against Gervonta Davis (16-0, 15 KOs) in the co-feature.