I'm not a big DeGale fan or anything but a lot of these dismissive posts are ridiculous. Sure, he's only had 10 fights but class is class. Watching DeGale, I don't get the impression he'd be destroyed by anyone at 168lbs. Sure, he might lose a few but he's a world class prospect. If DeGale fought Magee next, I'd be surprised if he would lose that fight, so whilst he probably would lose to Bute, it's not a ridiculous match up. He's not far away from his peak, I don't think. Whilst he may only be a 10 fight novice, it wouldn't surprise me if he was fighting like a veteran by his 20th fight. His progress is going to be that quick. He has all the tools and now he just needs to put it all in place. Bute would win, yeah, but DeGale shouldn't be dismissed against any opponent at 168.
In fairness, whoever wins between DeGale and Groves, they should be looking at fighting Magee soon after.
having slagged off degale's out of ring antics elsewhere,i do believe he(and groves)are destined for the very top.daft as this may sound to most on this thread,i think he'd give bute hell,and could box him to a clear points victory,if he has the stamina to match his undoubted skill at this kind of level,as bute would be in his face all night.abraham/froch,anyone.....?
What a poor comparison...:yep JD would give a good account of himself but at this stage would you expect anything else...:yep Magee would be a good match that I think JD would come through now...:good Timing is everything, who you fight and when and in some cases who you don't fight...:yep
What exactly did Magee do last night that DeGale couldn't? What was Magee doing last night that was so crafty? Yes, DeGale would have virtually no chance of winning but there is nothing ridiculous in comparing DeGale and Magee, I would doubt DeGale can withstand as much as Magee took last night but I'd have a good bet that he could land more hurtful punches on Bute than Magee managed. People are acting that this thread was stating that DeGale would have beaten Bute last night, of course nobody with half a brain thinks that.
Getting up from a brutal knockdown and then charging straight in with his chin in the air screaming "PROTECT ME, FACE" I doubt Degale would do that tbh
Degale hasn't shown us anything as a pro to suggest he's capable at even European level. He's not got the poise to deal with someone like Bute.
Smith had been having awful fights against domestic operators. Whether he was just below euro level or not, wasnt euro-level. You cant have it both ways. Degale may have given Smith a boxing lesson, but lets consider a few things: Smith was a domestic operator at best, as evidenced by his loss to Steven Bendall (if he was a euro-level guy, he wouldnt be losing to those sorts of fighters) Hes a small SMW, and really should be at 160 (where hes now gone) Degale is much bigger, younger and faster than Smith Do you think Smith would have made it past the third or fourth round against Bute? Of course he wouldnt. Its insanity to suggest a 10-fight novice will be competitive with one of the five best SMWs on the planet. Hed get trounced. How do you think hed do against Ward?