James DeGale is ready to fulfil his destiny after learning he will box for the world title in Boston on May 23 . DeGale is bidding to become the first British Olympic champion to win top honours in the professional game , seven years after the Beijing Games . The Londoner will face Andre Dirrell for the IBF super-middleweight belt vacated by Carl Froch . James DeGale beat Marco Antonio Periban last year and now faces Andre Dirrell in Boston . 'It feels so good , ' DeGale told Sportsmail . 'We 've been trying to sort out this date for a long time . We were working towards April 25 at the O2 Arena so I 've been training for the last eight weeks non-stop , sparring 12 rounds and doing my two-hour runs . 'In that way it 's been frustrating but I 've got my date now and all my focus goes on that . I 'm relieved that everything 's set and I 'll be ready . 'After this week I 'm going to have a week off then I 'll get back on it . I 've done eight weeks of training , I 've been watching my weight and living like a monk . ' Dirrell in action against Derek Edwards last year . DeGale 's title challenge had originally been pencilled in for next month but promoter Eddie Hearn lost out when the fight went to purse bids . DeGale will , however , earn at least $ 1.5million ( £1m ) . ' I would have liked to have boxed for a world title in my home city but it is what it is , ' he admitted . 'Eddie lost the purse bid so I 'm boxing in America . I 'm getting paid very well for it and I 've got the chance to make history ; that 's what dreams are made of . ' Dirrell has lost once in his 25-fight career - to Froch in 2009 by contentious split decision . The 31-year-old has fought just six times since but recorded three routine victories last year . 'It 's a difficult fight , ' DeGale added . 'The guy is similar to me , he 's very tricky and slick . He 's a southpaw and it 's an extremely hard fight but I think this is my time and I 'm destined to be a world champion . I ca n't let this slip , I 've got to win it . 'He 's good with his feet and he punches in bunches but for all his attributes , I match him . It 's going to be an intriguing fight to watch and very , very skilled . People are going to be in for a treat . ' James DeGale has been using the world class sports science and training at Perform at St. George 's Park ahead of his world title fight .
De DeGale will take on Andre Dirrell in Boston on may 23 . He will fight for the IBF super - middleweight world title . He can become the first British Olympic champion to win a world title . DeGale will earn at least £ 1million from the fight .