James DeGale hopes the Lucian Bute fight will lead to bigger bouts. Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images

James DeGale admits it was "money, money, money" that convinced him to concede home advantage to Lucian Bute for their IBF world super-middleweight title fight.

DeGale (21-1, 14 KOs), 29, will make a first defence of his IBF belt against Canada-based Romanian Bute (32-2, 25 KOs) at the new Centre Videotron, Quebec City, Canada on November 28.

The Londoner won the title with a points victory over American Andre Dirrell in Boston last April and has chosen to go on the road again. Why? "Money, money, money," DeGale said as he explained his decision not to fight in the UK. "Don't tell me money doesn't motivate you."

With 15,000 fans expected at the ice hockey stadium cheering on Bute, it is a risk but DeGale claimed he has had his best days away from home.

DeGale won gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, lifted the British title against local hero Paul Smith in Liverpool in 2010, made a European title defence in Denmark and then beat Dirrell for the world crown in America.

But he also claimed he could earn more than £1million from this fight. "I didn't have to go to Canada to fight Bute but it makes financial sense to go over there," DeGale said. "I'm making double what I would make, probably treble [compared to fighting in the UK].

"You've seen it [the judging] is all fair -- I went there [the U.S.] and won a world title. This time I'm fighting a Canadian in Canada but I'm easy with it. I've been told it will be fair.

"You can tell what kind of person he is. He can't come away, he can't defend his title. He needs his home comforts. I'm not like that. I'm looking forward to, and thriving on, going to Canada. I will prove people wrong and go over there and defend my title.

"I'm just happy I'm not getting screwed over and getting stupid little change to box for a world title and defend world titles. I'm just grateful."

DeGale, 29, who is six years younger than Bute, believes the calculated risk of fighting abroad will lead to bigger bouts against rival world champions.

"My journey is just starting, and his is coming to an end," said DeGale. "I said after I won the world title I would fight anyone and I want people like Arthur Abraham and Andre Ward. I want to unify the world titles but first I have to defend it against a former champion who's still hungry; he wants the world belt back. But I'm too young and too fresh."

Bute, 35, was demolished in five rounds by DeGale's fellow Briton Carl Froch in 2012, a fight which ended his five-year reign as IBF world champion. He has won two bouts and lost one since.

"I know I had a bad experience last time I was here," said Bute at a press conference held at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

"But now I'm fresh and I have a new team behind me. I held this belt for five years and I'm very confident I will be the new champion on November 28.

"I'm happy to be fighting in front of my fans in Quebec City. I've fought there four times and I've never lost there."