James DeGale is ready to test himself over 12 rounds as he plots his route to a British title fight by the end of the year.

DeGale will step up to the championship distance when he meets Sam Horton for the vacant WBA international super-middleweight belt at Upton Park on May 15.

The Olympic gold medallist has yet to go beyond four rounds in his six-fight professional career.

Whether the light-punching Horton, who has just two knockouts from 15 wins in a fine record that contains just one defeat, lasts much longer remains to be seen.

DeGale believes Horton, his fellow 24-year-old, will fall early but is preparing himself for the long haul.

"Most definitely I feel ready to go 12 rounds. I'm feeling great - I could go the distance now, so imagine me in seven weeks," he said.

"I'm like a soldier at the moment - strong and fit and I can't wait.

"I'm not scared of going 12 rounds, I can't wait to hear 'ding, ding, seconds out, round nine'.

"Believe me I won't hear that on May 15, but that's the way I've got to prepare for it.

"Hopefully Horton can take me to the sixth or seventh round, but I can't see it.

"I watched him a couple of months ago when he suffered his first loss.

"He's a decent fighter who will be game and ambitious, which will just make me look even better."

DeGale is already looking beyond his challenge for the WBA international belt, a largely meaningless prize beyond the fact it is contested over 12 rounds.

"I'm impatient and would love to fight for a British title on May 15, but it doesn't work like that," he said.

"This title is just a stepping stone to becoming British or Commonwealth champion by the end of the year.

"If (promoter) Frank Warren rang me tomorrow and said you're fighting (champion) Paul Smith for the British title I'd be jumping with joy. Domestically I'm already the best."

DeGale could be beaten to Commonwealth honours by his former amateur rival and Dale Youth stablemate George Groves.

Groves edged DeGale with a points decision en route to winning the 2006 ABA title, giving birth to an animosity that continues to thrive.

The undercard of David Hayes' WBA heavyweight defence against John Ruiz in Manchester on April 3 sees Groves fight for the Commonwealth belt after a £50,000 offer to meet DeGale was rejected by Warren.

"George made an offer but to be quite honest it was insulting," said Warren.

"I don't know what they're paying him, but the amount doesn't pay for our man. The fight can happen if they keep their man winning.

"Groves is chasing James, not the other way round. Groves is the bridesmaid, James has the Olympic medal.

"The fight has to be done on terms that we're comfortable with."