Scotland's former world champion Alex Arthur has a fancy for James DeGale but a specific warning... the body punch.

James DeGale against the ropes, his guard comes up like a a brick wall and there's no joy to be had for the challenger. 

Lucian Bute's hands remain high as the pair jostle for position while DeGale is not scared to drop his leading hand as he looks for an opening.

This is heading towards a knockout you would think as both men are throwing, it's more destruction derby than chess match.  Left uppercut, right hook from DeGale late on but he gets tagged with a hook and a straight shot seconds later. A close round.

Straight right, hook right from James DeGale to start the third. Lucian Bute, all 35 years of him, is game though and soaks it up like a sponge.

Image source, Getty Images

This contest throws up a rare event in that both men use a southpaw stance.

What does that mean? They will lead with their right hand, with the left hand ready in the background with the power shot.

DeGale beat Andre Dirrell in May - another southpaw - so he knows his way around the style for sure.

There is an energy about James DeGale, his footwork is neat and tidy, his hands explosive and aggressive. He's looking busy when the chance to throw a shot arrives as three or four blows land in the blink of an eye.

Lucian Bute goes low to the body as the bell rings but it looks to me like a second round for DeGale.

The fighters are in close again early in round two and James DeGale's hand speed when he's that close to his opponent looks very, very dangerous.

He swings a right around the guard of Lucian Bute. DeGale is not averse to switching from his southpaw stance to orthodox.

A good opening to the second from the Briton...

Lucian Bute maintains a fairly high guard, his red gloves offer little target. James DeGale gets in close and lets a body shot go.

Bute is game, he takes it and comes back for more, backing the Englishman up to the ropes. Bob and weave from Bute and the pair are in close again, a rock solid left hand from DeGale. These two are having a right ding dong early on and long right hand pierces the Bute guard, a great straight shot from Chunky. I'd say he takes the opener.

Forward they both come, centre of the ring, left hook from DeGale, left jab, looping right, all catch the guard, it's zippy work. Rapid hands in the opening minute.

So here we go then, 12 rounds where on paper at least, James DeGale's position as IBF world champion will be tested.

"Live from Quebec City... Ittt's shooowtimmme," says Jimmy Lennon Jnr.

Lucian Bute ducks and weaves in his corner. He slams his gloves together. A lean, ripped look to him despite some serious weight gain from weigh in to fight night.

DeGale looks smooth, black trunks with gold trim, a sip of water as his name is read, there's a tonne of swagger on show here as he raises his right hand.

And now the champion "JAMES 'CHUNKY' DEGALE", yells Jimmy lennon Jnr.

What's the music of choice? A tune called 'Right Above It', by Lil' Wayne.

"Now tell me how you love it"You know you at the top when only heaven's right above it..."

Image source, AP

The Smith brothers, Paul and Stephen, who are half of the famous Liverpool boxing family that all claimed British titles in recent years, have sent their best wishes to James DeGale. 

Paul lost his British title to DeGale in 2010 when the Olympic gold medallist stopped him in the ninth round. 

Will DeGale face another Smith brother when the youngest sibling Callum finds himself in a number one contender spot? 

And, with esteemed ring announcer Michael Buffer in Dusseldorf, it's over to Jimmy Lennon Jnr to introduce these two scrappers.

Lucian Bute is first out - to the U2 track 'Where the Streets Have no Name'.

"I want to tear down the walls

"That hold me inside ..."

Image source, Getty Images

A rapid three-shot combo from James DeGale in his warm-up, he's looking sharp to say the least. The fighters are keeping us waiting. 

These nerve-filled moments before the walk to the ring are key, stay loose, ready the mind, don't let an ounce of fear enter the psyche. 

Image source, Reuters

London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams has been eagerly anticipating James DeGale's first world title defence...

Are you going to be showing your support through the night? Tweet us using #bbcboxing.

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How do you view Lucian Bute's record?

Do you see the man who entered his 2012 contest with Carl Froch with 30 wins from 30?

Or do you see a man with two losses in four fights and going downhill fast?

The ring is clear, the strobe lights race around the Videotron Arena where around 15,000 are expected to watch this super-middleweight contest.

If it's half as dramatic as Kiltschko-Fury earlier, it'll be worth staying up for... or getting up for.

Carl Froch stopped Lucian Bute in the fifth round in 2012, can DeGale do better? That would at least provoke some debate.

Image source, Getty Images

Hayden Shipman on Facebook:, external "Just because Froch destroyed Bute doesn't mean you can write him off for this fight."