DeGale to follow in the footsteps of Hatton, Collins and Hagler
Wednesday 20 May 2015 14:41, UK
Johnny Nelson believes fighting on the road will bring the very best out of James DeGale.
The British super-middleweight takes on American Andre Dirrell in Boston for the vacant IBF world title, live on Sky Sports, prime time on Saturday night (9.30pm).
DeGale (20-1-KO14) is the slight underdog in a city that was the second home of legends Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler, while Steve Collins and Ricky Hatton also won in Beantown.
And Nelson believes the fact that Boston is "a city of hard knocks", will suit the British challenger.
"I think James performs better when he's under pressure, when he's on the road," he told Sky Sports.
"He won that gold medal on the road, his amateur pedigree is on the road, which is why for this world title we will see the best of James DeGale.
"This is why this one is different: 'I am in the lion's den, I've got to put a performance on'.
"And for him, it will be a walk in the park."
Dirrell (24-1-KO16), from Flint, Michigan, pushed Carl Froch all the way back in 2009 and America is expecting another world champion to be crowned.
However, even though he is an awkward fighter who will make life difficult for DeGale, Nelson is expecting the Brit to beat Dirrell at his own game.
"Switch-hitting southpaws are a complete and utter nightmare but don't forget he us up against another southpaw, but not your conventional one," he said.
He won that gold medal on the road, his amatuer pedigree is on the road, which is why for this world title, we will see the best of James DeGale
"So when Dirrell is trying to get those switch shots in, it is going to be very awkward because James just won't be there.
"We're going to have two southpaws who are trying to work each other out so it is who is sharpest, who is fittest and I gather Dirrell can fade in the back end of a fight."
Watch DeGale v Dirrell live on Sky Sports 1, from 8.00pm, this Saturday.
