Harlesden boxer James DeGale says he is fully focused on dealing with Rogelio Medina on April 30 in Washington, despite a mouth-watering unification bout with Badou Jack on the horizon after that.

The IBF super-middleweight champion, who faces the Mexican in what will be the second mandatory defence of his title, has admitted his 27-year-old opponent is a “dangerous” proposition.

Although Medina has an unflattering six defeats on his record, the 2008 Olympic gold medallist is taking his opponent as serious as any other he has faced in his career to date.

He told the Times: “I’m going into this fight like a challenger again and that’s how I’ve been training, that’s what Jim (McDonnell) drills into me; to train and go into the fight like a challenger.

“This guy is dangerous, he’s got a lot of knockouts but every time he’s stepped up he’s been beat so I’ll be going in there switched on, fully focused and confident of beating him.”

He continued: “Training’s gone really, really well and I’m feeling sharp. It’s been a bit of a long camp and by the time I fight it will be about five or six months until I last boxed so I’m raring to go again.”

While DeGale insists all his attentions are set firmly on Medina, he has admitted he would relish fighting Sweden WBC super-middleweight champion Jack in his hometown of London afterwards.

Jack fights Lucian Bute, who DeGale beat convincingly in his first title defence, on the same card in Washington with the winner looking to meet DeGale in a unification fight.

He added: “I’d rather box Badou Jack because I’ve already dealt with Bute in his back yard, and while I would fight him again to get another title, I’d rather fight Badou Jack. He’s someone new and it’s another challenge for me.”

DeGale’s upcoming fight will be his third consecutive bout to take place outside of Britain, after comfortably beating Andre Dirrell for the IBF title in Boston and then successfully defending it against Bute in Canada, but he maintains his fans will be rewarded for their patience.

“My homecoming is coming with my next fight once I get through this one and if Badou Jack can get through Bute. Then it’s me and him in September at the O2.” While DeGale has coined himself a road warrior with his recent schedule, the 30-year-old couldn’t hide his excitement of being back in Harlesden for training on Tuesday.

“I’m proud of being a Northwest London boy,” he said.

“Really I’m just a normal boy from Harlesden, chose something that I was good at, dedicated my life to it and now I’m flying but I’m proud of my roots.”