By Jake Donovan

With Carl Froch long retired and former World champion Andre Ward now moving up to light heavyweight, the top spot at super middleweight is wide open and up for grabs these days.

James DeGale put his best foot forward in pleading his case as a de facto leader, fending off a determined former champ in Lucian Bute to claim a well-earned unanimous decision Saturday evening in Quebec City, Canada.

The Showtime-televised headliner at Centre Videotron proved to be a thrilling affair, with DeGale (22-1, 12KOs) forcing a frenetic pace and showing his resolve down the stretch to prevail by scores of 117-111 (twice) and 116-112. He also had to deal with adversity, riding out a mid-fight cut due to an accidental headbutt.

The 12-rounds of action between the tireless southpaws resonated with the 10,000 or so fans in attendance and viewers watching at home. For the winner and still champ, it was the latest step in a continued process to eventually produce the best super middleweight on the planet.

"I still have to work on things in the gym, but I'm peaking," said DeGale, who at present moment is the only fighter ever from England to win an Olympic Gold medalist - claiming top honors in the 2008 Beijing Games - and a major world title. "I'm getting better. The next 3-4 years I will be at my best."

There are several ways to put meaning behind those words. One such fight is an already discussed super middleweight title unification bout with Badou Jack.

The bout carries additional meeting beyond their title status. Both claimed their belts by scoring wins over the Dirrell brothers - DeGale upending Andre Dirrell in their vacant title fight in May, one month after Jack scored a stunning upset in a 12-round decision win to unseat Anthony Dirrell.

Jack's lone successful title defense to date came in September. The Las Vegas-based Swede managed a 12-round win over George Groves, the only man to date to hang a loss on DeGale's ledger.

A rematch to avenge that defeat wouldn't carry the same meaning given Groves' recent slide and desire to rebuild. The other leading candidate in the divisoin is nine-lives champ Arthur Abraham, who has a mandatory defense with Gilberto Ramirez in queue, as well as a discussed showdown with Bernard Hopkins, who wants a shot at a super middleweight title before calling it a career at 51 years of age.

That leaves DeGale and Jack, a fight that boxing fans would certainly love. So, too, would the reigning champion from England.

"Vegas. April next year, let's do it. Let's unify the title," DeGale said of such a matchup.

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox