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DeGale vowing to win British title by end of the year

James DeGale is not short on confidence © Getty Images

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James DeGale has thrown down the gauntlet to Britain's other rising stars by insisting he will become the best super-middleweight in the country.

The ever-confident 24-year-old has made a serene start to his professional career with seven straight victories - five of which have come inside the distance.

And after claiming his first title, the vacant WBA international belt, with a five-round destruction of Sam Horton in May, the Olympic gold medallist is already planning to be British champion by the end of the year.

"I want at least two more fights before the end the year ... and I want to be British champion," he said. "I said at the start of the year that's what I wanted and I think I'm getting there. I've got a tough fight coming up but my training is going well. I've been in camp for three weeks now and I've been working like a Trojan."

Former WBC champion Carl Froch currently heads up a long list of domestic fighters in the super-middleweight division. Paul Smith is the holder of the British belt, Brian Magee and Tony Quigley are desperate to make their marks, while Commonwealth champion George Groves is keen to renew his rivalry with DeGale.

But DeGale, who goes in search of his eighth pro victory against Carl Dilks on September 18, is adamant he is the man who holds all the aces.

"The domestic scene is buzzing at this weight - but I believe I'm the best and I'm going to prove that," he said. "I am a person who sets himself goals and mine are to win the British title in 2010, defend it a couple of times in 2011 and then be a world champion in 2012.

"Whatever it takes and whoever I have to fight to achieve it I will do. I'm ready for anyone."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.