DeGale: Duran's DeMan

James DeGALE was put through his paces by fight legend Roberto Duran then insisted: "If I'm half as good as he was, I'll have a fantastic career." The super-middleweight successfully defended his European title against Cristian Sanavia in Denmark, stopping the former WBC world champion in just four rounds. DeGale came face to face with 'Hands of Stone' Duran at his gym in East London and revealed: "He's still sharp as a razor at 60 as when he was smashing his rivals all around the ring. "It was fantastic to meet such a legend and he gave me a few pointers in our short workout. I'm hoping he'll be ringside at my next fight." Duran won 103 of his 119 bouts before retiring following world title wins at lightweight, welterweight, light-middleweight and middleweight. He is widely regarded as the best lightweight fighter of all time. DeGale added: "I don't think I'll get anywhere near Roberto's 119 bouts but I do know that I intend to be a lot busier as the fight against Sanavia was my first in six months. "I'm hoping to fight at least six times this year, I don't mind if they are eight rounders or 12 rounders just as long as I am seeing action inside the ropes." There was a chance DeGale, 26, could have fought for the WBO world super-middleweight title following George Groves' withdrawal against champion Robert Stieglitz. Beijing Olympic gold medallist DeGale said: "Sanavia was my mandatory defence so there was no way I was going to pull out and disappoint so many people. "My target is to fight for the world title inside 18 months. I'm bitterly disappointed I've not done it already as the intention was to win a world crown before the London Olympics came around."