"Forgotten man" James DeGale is ready to launch himself back into the big time when he auditions for the right to fight the winner of Saturday's rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves.

The 2008 Olympic gold medalist has found himself in the wilderness for much of the past two years as promotional changes and lacklustre matchmaking impacted on his career.

However, the likeable Harlesden motor-mouth has managed to work his way towards a final eliminator for the IBF super-middleweight title against Brandon Gonzales on Saturday, knowing victory will secure him a shot at the winner of the Wembley main event.

"The winner has to meet me within 120 days but I've got my own fight to deal with before that on Saturday. Brandon Gonzales is a good fighter, an unbeaten, confident American who is coming here thinking he's going to win.

DeGale has the same number of fights as Gonzales, but has proved his stamina with four decision wins in his last eight contests.

He expects Gonzales to gradually wilt after the early stages of the fight.

"A very good fighter unbeaten and he's confident. He really thinks he's going to win, but the telling factor in this fight is going to be the distance, the rounds," said DeGale.

"This guy has never had a scheduled 12-rounder. He's never been 12 rounds and in fights - I've watched his last couple of fights - he dies. A good five rounds he has and he dies.

"I've had about nine scheduled 12-rounders. I've been 12 rounds five times, that's in you. You don't get fit for 12 rounds over a 10-week camp. It takes years. That's what is going to be the telling factor in this fight."