Sam Horton is a former Midlands Area and international Masters champion

Dudley super-middleweight Sam Horton says Saturday's fight with James DeGale in London could transform his life.

Horton, 24, meets Olympic champion DeGale for the WBA international title at Upton Park knowing that he must try and seize his moment for glory.

"It's life changing," Horton told BBC WM. "It's in my hands and an opportunity I can't pass on.

"I've got to rise to the challenge and I'm going there to beat James. I've got everything to gain."

Stourbridge-based Horton, who works as a bus driver in between contests, has suffered only one defeat in his 16-fight career so far.

That was against Cello Renda in a British title eliminator in September but he says he has learned a lot from that.

Everyone's going to know my name now and if I beat James DeGale, boxing could be my career rather than a hobby and that's what I'm fighting for Dudley's Sam Horton

"I knew I messed up," admits Horton. "Everyone was telling me not to have a war with him and I never looked at his knock-out record.

"I went toe-to-toe with probably the biggest puncher in the division and I got caught a cropper - but I've learnt my lesson.

"I've got a 12-round fight with James and if I'm going to stand there silly with James and get caught with big shots, I expect to get knocked out.

"All I've got to do is cover up, step back and when the rounds get further I've got the fitness to put the pressure on."

DeGale has won all six of his bouts since turning professional after winning gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. But Horton says fighting such a high-profile opponent has made his preparation a bit easier.

"James is round the world," he added. "He's got that gold medal. I don't think there's any more high profile boxer in Britain.

"Everyone's going to know my name now and, if I beat James DeGale, boxing could be my career rather than a hobby and that's what I'm fighting for."

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