DeGale has won three of his six fights inside two rounds

Olympic champion James DeGale insists he can be British or Commonwealth champion by the end of the year as he prepares for his first 12-round fight.

DeGale, 24, who won super-middleweight gold at the Beijing Olympics, will face Sam Horton at Upton Park on 15 May.

That fight is for the little-regarded WBA international belt, but DeGale believes he can use it to impress.

"This title is a step to becoming British or Commonwealth champion by the end of the year," he said.

"I'm like a soldier at the moment - strong, fit and I can't wait."

Since turning professional, DeGale has won all six of his fights, four inside the distance, and impressed in beating Matthew Barr inside two rounds last time out in February.

606: DEBATE Will DeGale become British champion this year?

That fight was scheduled for six rounds and although his next contest is scheduled for the full 12 the Londoner does not expect to be taken deep into the fight by a man who has won 14 of 15 fights, but only twice triumphed inside the distance.

"I'm not scared of going 12 rounds, I can't wait to hear 'ding, ding, seconds out, round nine'," he said.

"Believe me I won't hear that on 15 May, but that's the way I've got to prepare for it.

"Hopefully Horton can take me to the sixth or seventh round, but I can't see it.

"I watched him a couple of months ago when he suffered his first loss. He's a decent fighter who will be game and ambitious, which will just make me look even better."

And DeGale added that he has little to prove at domestic level, stating: "If [promoter] Frank Warren rang me tomorrow and said you're fighting [champion] Paul Smith for the British title I'd be jumping with joy.

"Domestically I'm already the best."

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