James DeGale vs. Lucian Bute Fight Announced: Date, Location and Prediction

James DeGale will defend his IBF world super-middleweight title for the first time against Lucian Bute on November 28 at the Videotron Center in Quebec, Canada.

The British Olympic gold medalist will face the popular Romanian-Canadian fighter, who is a previous IBF super-middleweight champion, in front of a partisan home crowd, as reported by Sky Sports.

DeGale claimed the championship belt in May, beating dangerous American Andre Dirrell on points, becoming the first Brit to win an Olympic gold medal and professional world title. 

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DeGale isn't hiding for his first defence, and admits the challenge of Bute will be a testing one, per Sky Sports:

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Bute is a world class, elite-level fighter who kept his world title for five years. Anyone who can do that deserves some serious respect. I'm the champion and he will be very fired up trying to win back his old title, but I'm too young, too fast, too skilful to let that happen. 

My trainer Jim McDonnell has always said getting the world title is hard, but keeping it is even harder. I'm under no illusions about this fight, but I'm also a massive believer in my own ability and I aim to show just who is the best super-middleweight in the world on November 28.

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It is the second successive fight for DeGale on foreign soil, and he has also previously fought in Quebec, beating Canadian Sebastien Demers in 2013.

Bute lost his world title to Carl Froch three years ago, when the Nottingham destroyer dismantled him in the ring in a comprehensive defeat.

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The 35-year-old only has two defeats in his 34-fight career, and he is desperate to exorcise the ghost of his defeat to the Brit: "I lost my title in England against an English fighter and now, I will box in Quebec against another English boxer, for the same title I defended for five years. I am really motivated by this opportunity the regain the title I lost in 2012."

Bute was a credible champion during his reign, but he is fighting a quicker and stronger operator in DeGale. The Brit has risen through the ranks to gain his status, and is ready for an ageing fighter with Bute's skill set.

Despite having home advantage, it is questionable whether Bute will have the power to hurt the champion, and he is the slim underdog—with his experience being his main weapon. 

However, DeGale has knocked out 14 of his 22 opponents, and Bute is likely to hit the canvas when the British fighter arrives in town in November.

Prediction: DeGale win by KO