Jack-Bute, DeGale-Medina card lands at DC Armory

The DC Armory in Washington, DC, will host another big night of fights on April 30, when Badou Jack and James DeGale make super middleweight title defenses on Showtime.

Jack (20-1-1, 12 KO) will defend his WBC belt against former titleholder Lucian Bute (32-3, 25 KO) in the main event, while DeGale (22-1, 14 KO) will be in the co-feature against IBF mandatory challenger Rogelio Medina (36-6, 30 KO).

Jack won the WBC belt from Anthony Dirrell last April, and successfully defended in September against George Groves, on the Mayweather-Berto undercard. Bute is coming off of a loss to DeGale in November, a competitive but clear decision on Bute's home turf in Montreal.

"I've been training really hard for this fight and I'm excited to get in the ring," said Jack. "I can't wait to defend my title once again on April 30. The fans can expect to see an explosive and skillful performance from me come fight night. I believe I'm the best super middleweight in the world and that I have the skills to beat anyone I get in the ring with. I'm fully focused on Lucian Bute, but I know that a win can set up a massive fight against James DeGale and I'm going to deliver."

"I'm thrilled to have this tremendous opportunity," said Bute. "I was ringside for Badou Jack's last two fights -- well deserved world title wins. He is a great champion. I plan to train hard and be in the best shape of my career on April 30. It's my chance to win the WBC belt and become two-time world champion. I will win and give boxing fans a spectacular fight."

DeGale won the vacant IBF belt against Andre Dirrell in Boston last May, while Medina is a fairly typical IBF mandatory challenger, not particularly deserving of the honor, but, well, here we are. He's still working on goodwill from a 2014 upset of then-unbeaten J'Leon Love. Medina has won three fights since then, but against opponents with a combined record coming into the fights of just 53-46-7. One of the fighters was 0-21-2, and none of them were contenders.

"I am delighted to be defending my world title on another great show in the United States," said DeGale. "I won my belt in style in Boston and I'm looking forward to moving down the East Coast to the great city of Washington, D.C. It's going to be a defining night in the super middleweight division as Badou Jack and myself look to set up a huge fight later in the year. I'm fully focused on Rogelio Medina. He's a tough Mexican who earned his title shot. But trust me, no one is getting my world title."

"This is such a great opportunity for me and I can't wait to get in the ring," said Medina. "I've worked so hard for this and I am going to make the most of it. Everyone who has seen me fight knows I leave it all in the ring and you can expect to see an all-out battle on April 30. I will be the new world champion."