BADOU JACK insists Lucian Bute will provide a sterner test than Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr would have done when he defends his WBC world super-middleweight title against him on April 30.
Jack faces Bute at the DC Armory in Washington, with James DeGale defending his IBF world title against mandatory challenger Rogelio Medina on the same bill.
DeGale outpointed Bute last year in the first defence of his title, and Jack claims the excitement of that fight is why Lucian – a former holder of the IBF bauble – has been handed a shot.
“I’ll be ready for this fight. Bute is a very tough opponent. I have to bring my ‘A’ game to win,” he said.
“Much respect to him, but he’s not leaving with my belt. Absolutely not. You can expect a very tough fight.
“Bute is a much, much tougher opponent that Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr, but I’m ready for him.
“Bute’s fight against DeGale was one of the best fights last year. That’s the only reason he got this shot. He lost, but he looked good. It was a great fight. April 30 will be another great fight. And another loss for Bute.”
Jack was originally mooted to be facing Chavez Jnr, but the Mexican picked up an injury, ruling him out.
Bute held the IBF title from 2007 to 2012, until he ran into Carl Froch in Nottingham, where he was blitzed inside five rounds.
He dropped a decision to Jean Pascal at light-heavyweight two years later, before eventually challenging DeGale in November.
The 36-year-old hopes a change in personnel will help him become a two-time world champion.
“This is a great opportunity for me to fight again for a title. I feel good, I started camp six weeks ago. Most importantly, I’m very healthy. Psychologically, I’m looking forward to becoming a world champion on April 30,” he said.
“I respect Badou Jack. He is a great champion, a great fighter, but on April 30, I will become a world champion again. I’m looking forward to it.
“I will be the new champion. I am very confident. I expect it to be a very tough fight, but I am coming here to win.
“I have a new team. They are changing some things in my work. My confidence is 100 percent. I’m working every day very tough and I am confident that everything will be great for April 30.”
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