*** British Class of 2008 - Discussion Thread ***

Well with all of the aforementioned traits he was able to capture a British title in 9 fights. Do you secretly think that he has the potential to be better then? Or are you just angry at his general demeanour?

I think the thing is with Degale is at least he is being pushed at some sort of rate right or wrong win or lose. He is and will continue to be in fights that interest me I can't guarantee that with Gavin's trajectory atm or Jeffries

 

I like reading your posts but why the massive hatred for degale? He may be over rated by some but so are many.

 

Inactivity is the thing that really gets me. The fact that none of them has had more than 11 fights is ridiculous really. The promoters need to find a way of getting them out more often either by streaming fights on the internet or being happy to put them on another promoters show. Jose Benavidez has 9 fights in 2010; that is what they should be aiming for with prospects.

More fights solves a lot of problems such as helping bridge the gap between ams and pros. Tbh, the quality of the competition doesn't bother me for that first half dozen fights or so as long as they fight regularly. I am not one of those doubting Gavin will ever make it on the back of his last couple of fights; but his inactivity means people have nothing to talk about but his last performance and he has lost all the momentum he had coming out of the Lomax fight.

Tbh, I would not surprised if most of them win a 'world' title of sorts(except Jeffries who is utter gash) but atm I would not pick any of them to go to become great.

 

This is a great thread that will probably get all of us banned.

To be honest, I think the main problem is activity. If they faced 10-12 of the same level of opposition they have already faced, they'd have made much more progress by now then spreading it over 3 years (which is what has been done, essentially) this level of activity should be reserved for 'Elite' level competitors, and even then it's arguable that it should be increased.

The opposition hasn't been great either. I mean, Young Muttley?! If Gavin is to fight three/four times a year, give him stern European tests now. Same goes for DeGale (and Groves).

For the rest, their rise has been slow. Murray is a kid, he still has time, but needs to be more active. BJS has not impressed me at all, figure out what weight he's supposed to be at and get him fighting blokes his own size. Injuries aside, his development has been very poor IMO. He's gone right off the radar. Price has been flattered by his last few results. He should be facing decent fringe tests already, or at the least a good domestic gatekeeper. The McDermott fight didn't come off I know, but he should be given Fury, or a solid-ex contender-type now, the division is dead and it only takes a few full steps to get out domestic level. The level he's been fighting at, it shocking. It's told us nothing about him, other than the fact that he hasn't even bowled over all of these guys :-( I like Price, but he's been badly mismanaged IMO. They need to get him working fast. If he isn't good enough to make the step yet, fair enough. But if he isn't ready now, he never will be.

Jeffries is literally below domestic level. He will be a domestic gatekeeper 'name', nothing more. Nothing in the way of potential whatsoever IMO.

DeGale has done very little, but hasn't looked disgraceful either. He went tit-for-tat with top domestic super middle George Groves, and has a solid 36 minutes of pro fighting to see where he is going wrong. But he should've got right back out there and got some rounds in. Waiting so long, anything he does in his return will be seen as a disappointed as it'll be too built up. Three fights against solid domestic opposition by the end of the year would've allowed for a gradual transition and time to learn. As it stands, he'll get 'default European' that is seriously basic, who he can shoeshine to a UD or soft 'TKO'.

Sad thing is, it's not really their fault. Th prestige of amateur success still holds some worth in transitioning to the fight game, and the sad fact is not every top amateur is going to be well-prepared for smooth transition. Jeffries is the prime example of that.

Gavin has been well-documented. Looks the classiest of the bunch, but has some serious issues. I don't think a change of camp will do it. It seems an inherent problem I'm said to say, though I genuinely hope Frankie proves me wrong.

Good thread BB.

 

El Greeno thats a decent point. If people like Gavin were out more often we wouldn't be harping on about his relative struggles against Woodhouse. We'd have something to talk about, aside from that. Which really should be standard for prospects, to not be out at least 4 or 5 times when you're not even British champ yet and an upcoming prospect is not on.

 

:think He seems to have slipped off the radar as well....Wldcard split has lost him publicity of course, but don't recall him fighting this year???!

 

http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=525227&cat=boxer

Back at the Wildcard too. Seckbach is a mong but he gets the scoops:deal

 

Watch out for Freddie Evans aswell mate:good

 

In all honesty its not really the boxers fault yes some havent progressed how we would have liked Jeffries (non at all) Gavin (stalled) the boxers are making the changes though Jeffries to the states Gavin to London.

The promoters and tv companies arent insisting on the right oposition and not giving them enough dates. As far as we are aware at the moment allegedly is losing plenty of money. Im pretty sure that most of those prospects aside from Murray and BJS would if they were "headlining" a show in their home town they could draw a decent crowd enough to fill a small venue.

With a few Allegedly or even VIP,Greaves or Hardknocks fighters on the undercard they could put on a decent show that would allow the fighters to earn some money, keep active, and learn their trade at a break even/minimal loss for promoters. This ultimately saves the few televised shows that the promoters get for the title matches rather than boring the audience with "Name" v journeyman as a support or main event.

It means the fighters don't get paid tens of thousands for every fight regardless but get paid scaled to the importance and level which is how it should be.

 

Fred Evans is a class act lots of competition at that weight I don't know if Anthony Fowler is still in the mix but he seems more suited to the pro game as well as Cardle.

There should be some top ams turning over as they drop out of Olympic contention as well as the 2012 crop.

 

Cheers lad :good

 

Yeah, definitely good times ahead for pro boxing in a lot of places in Europe. Britain, Ireland, Ukraine, Russia and several other countries have some very good prospects upcoming.

 

I don't see the "talent" that others do. For someone with such an extensive amateur background to punch so incorrectly is just shocking. His footwork is absolutely awful so basically he gets by on athleticism.

The fact he's so ******ed and unpleasant gives me more cause to dislike him. But mostly, I've never seen a "future world champion" seem so baffled by an opponent's decision to stand-off.

While DeGale may have been ready for a limited come-forward guy like Smith, all the loss to Groves shows is that James hadn't been developed properly and Groves had. The Smith fight looked like progress on paper when really it was a name with a belt, and not much more.

I don't say that to do James down, actually. It was a good win but needs some perspective applied. Smith was tailor-made for DeGale, whatever the mens' experience.

Frank has done that consistently with DeGale's career. I understand why, but it makes me very reluctant to buy into him.

 

That seems to be a problem with the amateurs as a whole. It's basically gloved fencing but for a few (Lomachenko; Cammarrelle for instance from the last games)

 

I hate him because of his behaviour leading up to his fight with Groves. It was the most pathetic display I've seen from a professional athlete. Meanwhile George is acting like a professional and gets the win.

But DeGale's learnt nothing from it and doesn't seem to want to make the changes he needs.