OLYMPIC boxing champion James DeGale MBE said he wants to send out a big ‘statement’ to a super middleweight division when he fights at Glow, Bluewater on November 16.

The 2008 gold medallist and WBC silver champion faces American Dangerous Dyah Davis on the top of a bill at the Greenhithe centre and hopes for an emphatic stoppage.

He said: “It is now time for me to make a statement because it’s not about treading water, trust me,

I do want the big fights and I want the big names.

“I know they’re out there and big nights ahead, but now my only focus is on Davis, November 16, and delivering a big performance for the fans.”

DeGale has previously stated his desire for an all-British showdown with whoever wins the George Groves – Carl Froch fight next month.

But first, he faces a tough fight in Davis, who has mixed it with the best and beaten the previously undefeated in his 22 win and three loss career.

That defeat came at the hands of now WBC world champion Sakio Bika, and Davis has his eyes on reaching the top of the division too.

And fighting is in his genes, his dad was 1976 Olympic gold medallist Howard Davis Jnr – one of the greatest amateur boxers, who won the US national championships three times.

At the 1976 Olympics, Davis won the US team award for most outstanding boxer which was no mean feat in a team also including Sugar Ray Leonard and Michael and Leon Spinks.

DeGale said: “I’m going to be going in there switched on and full of confidence and try and get that stoppage win.

“It’s a great venue and I want to go in there and put on a performance for all the fans - I want the big names and the big nights and I know the first step to that is doing a good job on Davis.

“I'm not overlooking him, if anything I'm more focussed on him because I know where a good performance here can lead me.”

James DeGale fights Dyah Davis on November 16 at Glow, Bluewater. Tickets are priced from £40 and are available from Hennessy Sports box office on 01925 755 222 or at hennessy.ticketline.co.uk, from Ticketline on 0844 888 4402 or ticketline.co.uk, or from Ticketmaster on 0844 847 2500 or ticketmaster.co.uk