James DeGale MBE is excited to get back in the ring and push towards a world title.

The WBC Silver super-middleweight champion takes on Sebastien Demers in his North American debut at Casino Lac-Leamy, Gatineau, Friday May the 17th and he is determined to put on a good performance.

“Training has gone fantastic, I’ve been in the gym since the beginning of the year, my knee is literally about 90 percent now, so I’m nearly there with my knee as well,” DeGale said.

“I’ve got no excuses, I’m feeling good in the gym and trust me the performance is going to come on May the 17th.”

James is eager to impress on his Canadian debut and knows that a good performance against Demers, a man who boasts 31 wins from 36 fights and fought Arthur Abraham in 2007 for the IBF middleweight title, could be the platform to launch himself towards a world title.

“Canadian boxing fans are passionate and they know about their boxing, so when I go over there and put on a good performance, I think they’re going to enjoy it,” DeGale said.

“Adonis Stevenson, Jean Pascal, Lucian Buté – all massive fights and Mick’s got the links out in Canada, so all these Canadian fighters, these good Canadian fighters, in the next 12 months they’re all possible fights.

“Putting them aside, over here you’ve got some great fighters as well, world champions boxing in great fights over here – Froch, maybe a Groves rematch very very soon, so the super-middleweight division is very exciting and I’m looking forward to being in these great fights.”

For the 2008 Olympic gold medalist, this will be his first fight since dominating former IBO super-middleweight champion Fulgencio Zuniga in Hull back in December, after his clash with Alexander Brand, set for March, was postponed.

But the WBC Silver champion known as ‘Chunky’ remains fully focussed, determined and passionate to show his fans that he is ready to step up to world level.

“I appreciate all the support and the love, just please carry on supporting and I won’t let you down, trust me, big year 2013 and I won’t let you down,” DeGale said.

EOTTM (Eye of the Tiger Management) and Hennessy Sports are promoting the event.

The fight is being aired live on Fight Network in Canada and worldwide fans can watch online at wealthtv.com.