James DeGale hailed David Haye's WBA heavyweight title victory last Saturday as 'fantastic for British boxing' - but insists even he could have beaten Nikolai Valuev. This content is protected What's all the fuss about? James DeGale doesn't rate Nikolai Valuev Olympic middleweight champion DeGale, 23, has a stormy relationship with Haye after the pair exchanged verbal volleys in the press a year ago. But the Hammersmith rookie, who has won all of his four fights since turning professional in February, insists he was delighted by Haye's majority-decision points win over 7ft 2ins Valuev in Germany last weekend. DeGale said: 'I watched Haye at the weekend. You've got to give him credit, he went to the champion's backyard and did his stuff. 'He boxed very, very well. It was a boring fight, to be honest. I don't want to say this but Valuev is probably one of the worst heavyweight champions. 'He's big, but I could have beaten him! You've got to credit David Haye though, he boxed well, showed his skills and showed something different, some proper boxing. 'But he could have knocked him out if he'd stuck it on him a bit more. I know he hurt his hand, so he's got an excuse. The heavyweights need a character like David Haye. He's fresh-faced and a bit different. 'He's a bit like me, he's got that swagger. Everyone knows he and I don't really get along because he tried to say a couple of things about me and I came back at him. 'But you've got to give it to him, he's doing his thing and good luck to him. It's fantastic for British boxing.' DeGale returns to action in Newcastle in December, on the undercard of Amir Khan's first WBA light-welterweight title defence against Dmitriy Salita. The December 5 bill comes barely a month after his last fight, a third-round stoppage of Ally Morrison in Liverpool, but 'Chunky' is more than happy to be kept busy
He probably said it tongue in cheek...sometimes words don't come across the same way. Don't hang him..!
Remember when Haye said Sutherland (RIP) was the better prospect and DeGale won't go far? That might have something to do with this.
He's just towing the party line, i heard frankie gavin saying similar things, so you know the boss has had a word.
I'm still backing DeGale. Hated him at first because he cost me money by not knocking his first opponent out but he's the best prospect we have
Seems like a man trying to follow Franks Orders. I like DeGale but i think Haye should give him a slap when he sees him just to keep him in check cos he ain't done s*** yet compared to Haye. Once he's a Two weight World Champion going into the lions den twice to win..that's when he can talk like this.
Never liked DeGale never will. I'm glad I kept ****ing with his wikipedia page on the night of his pro debut now. ****.