I dont think he is necessarily a few levels above Groves. I think he believes himself to be but i'm starting to think that what happened at the Olympics was simply a case of 'One of those times when everything went right for him' 8/10 I would have picked Sutherland to have beaten him as an AM 9/10 I would have picked Correa to have beaten his as an AM too. Don't forget if Degale hadn't been bitten by Correa the final would have been a draw and would have gone to a countback. Since then he's looked average at best. His wins haven't been impressive and he really hasn't impressed me. If it hadn't been for the fact that he won a Gold Medal at the Olympics (No mean feat I know) then we really wouldn't be having this conversation. If he was another pro after the 5 fights he's had nobody would be even taking notice of him in all honesty. The public haven't warmed to him because he doesn't come across as 'that' likeable. His cockiness is unwarranted and his attitude pales in comparison to that of Gavin. Gavin and DeGale couldn't be further apart in terms of how they go about there business. DeGale is doing naked photo shoots whilst Gavin is going back home and looking after his family. DeGale, due to that Gold medal believes he has it all. He thinks he has a god given right to win and he should be able to walk through his opponents with stupid left hook combinations (3 in a row) whereas Gavin is constantly asking his coach and his girlfriend if they think he will win. That little doubt in Gavins mind and the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics is what drives Gavin and THAT will be the difference when they both want to make it to the top. Plus Gavin is WORLD CLASS, whereas I'm not sure DeGale is.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...000-offer.html THIS attitude :deal Anybody else who wasn't an Olympian who tear Haye's ****ing arm off for a £50k after his 5th fight. Why couldn't he just say "lets leave it a year or two and make it a bigger fight", instead of ridiculing a £50k pay day. TWAT
i agree with allot of what you say about his personality but you cant right off winning a gold medal as a fluke. 8/10 might of picked Sutherland but they would of been wrong to do so. DeGale was fantastic in the final and against sutherland. One thing we know about boxing is that its as much about skill and hard work as it is about being mentally strong. clearly DeGale has something inside him to pull out his best form at the biggest stage. other than his first fight, he has looked very good. he already has the defensive side of the game mastered, he is seriously quick with hands, feet and reactions. also lets remember that Frankie Gavin wasnt at the olympics because he failed to make weight and has a repution of being able to drink anyone under the table. he is no saint.
Yeah Rob not saying it was a fluke i'm saying 9/10 times I dont think he would have beaten them both. I rated Correa AND Sutherland as better Amateurs. I dont hink he has looked great it 3/4 of his fights to be honest. He has skills but he thinks he automatically warrants a knockout each time he enters the ring. He combinations have been woeful at times. The KO's will come when he steps up in rounds and can wear opponents down, but he's trying to force them which isn't the best idea IMO
And Gavin was struggling to make weight because he was simply too big. He had Kerry Kayes helping him for weeks before hand and Kayes reckons had he been allowed to travel to Beijing Frankie could have possibly made weight, but the nutritionists got it wrong over there. I seriously doubt he was drinking people under the table in Beijing do you ? Anyway you cannot dicredit Frankie with the way he has gone about his business since he turned over into the pro ranks. Saint or not
Seriously? From what I've seen thus far I'd say Groves is the best by far of all the super middle prospects in the UK. DeGale doesn't impress me much, his punch technique leaves plenty to be desired, and clearly from the article Dan posted, has allowed fame and fortune to get to his head.
I was one off Gavins biggest detractors when he first moved over but he has won me over big time with his performances, the work he is clearly putting in in the gym and the views he has put forward on his career in the ESB forum. But I am sure Frankie would agree if he could go back in time there are things he would do differently in the year between the world championships and the olympics. I never said he was drinking people under the table in China, but did he cut out booze 4-5 months before the games, probably not, was he eating 100% good food and sticking to his diet 5 months before the games, probably not. DeGales gold medal win was not due to 5 good performances it was due to years of hard work a dedication. whatever you think about him personally and his skills as a boxer you cannot deny he has heart and a will to win. Many will think that has gone now that he is financially setup for life and its a good point, it happend to Audley but it didnt happen to Khan, we shall see what path degale takes. I beleive that DeGale had beaten Sutherland prior to the Olympics, and that all of there fights had been close. You need to remember Sutherland has been fighter at internation level for 3-4 years before DeGale came on the scene so he was a novice in comparrison for most of those fights to. DeGale beat them both fair and square so opinions dont really come into it, the fact is at the biggest stage degale came out on top. I agree he hasnt looked fantastic but your being overly critical. If DeGale had not gone to the Olympics, we would not have even seen his 5 fights so far. Its very easy to find faults at this stage of a fighters career. I much prefer to look at the posatives. also remember Gavin didnt look great in his pro debut either. DeGale has more pressure on him than any other fighter to turn pro in the last year.