IN a self confident, chest-beating tone you'd expect, James DeGale's message is loud and clear.
"Brace yourselves and be prepared for something special," is his promise to Hull boxing fans.
The 2004 Olympic gold medalist brings his roadshow to Hull next Saturday for a night he says will be one to remember.
With a capacity crowd at the Sports Arena to see a show that hasn't been equalled in magnitude since Paul Ingle fought Manuel Medina for the world title 13 years ago, DeGale's boasts have substance.
In Fulgencio Zuniga he's been handed a world class opponent, while the WBC Silver title up for grabs offers more prestige to a fight that has already captured the attention of fans in the city.
"I've already heard a lot about the boxing fans in Hull and how they have a real passion for the sport," DeGale told the Mail.
"I hear they make a lot of noise and that there is a real passion for boxing in Hull, which will only have grown from Luke Campbell winning a gold medal.
"They will come next Saturday expecting a great show, which is what I'm going to give them. It will be a great fight and I am expecting a great night."
In boxing terms, DeGale has enjoyed a nomadic existence so far in his career.
The 6ft tall 26-year-old from Hammersmith in London has fought in Birmingham, Belfast, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow and even Denmark in a 14-fight career that has quickly brought success.
Outside the ring DeGale's public perception of being an arrogant, brash young man failed to endear him to many, with the open arms which accompanies an Olympic champion seemingly absent from many of the British boxing fraternity and its fans.
Coming to a head with his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title defeat to George Groves, the only blemish on his record, DeGale has started to swing the pendulum of appreciation back in his favour. He may only be 14 fights into his professional career, but already he's landed on the world stage.
As the European champion, his fight with Zuniga is another step on the ladder to what he hopes will be a series of world title contests to rival those of fellow British super-middleweight Carl Froch.
"This is a quality opponent, he's boxed for world titles at three different weights and he's only lost to world class opponents in people like Kelly Pavlik, Lucian Bute and Tavaros Cloud.
"He might not think I have his experience but he will have a different view after I beat him.
"I've trained really hard and I am glad I've trained hard because this is going to be brutal."
Offering impressive support to DeGale on the Channel 5 televised bill is middleweight sensation Chris Eubank Jr, making his own way as he steps out of his father's rather large shadow.
WBC International champion Kid Galahad brings further attraction, but it is the British featherweight title eliminator between Hull's own Samir Mouneimne and Scottish area champion David Savage which, DeGale aside, the local fans will be anticipating.
DeGale and Mouneimne's paths have crossed many times before at amateur level, with the Olympic champion eager to see the progress his former national team-mate has made.
"Samir was a very good amateur and by all accounts he is doing really well in the featherweight division," added DeGale.
"I can see him going far and hopefully we'll both be celebrating next week."
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