'Chunky' First British Olympian Gold medalist to be World Champ?

- No way - this guy has that mental strength to form a very good boxing career.

- He might have a loss or 2 along the journey, but this boy has the tools.

- I like his personality.

 

The great thing about him is he revels in the lion's den, so far. He seemed to soak it up in Scouseland, which could've gone very wrong for a lesser fighter. He did well to keep his composure and put on that performance, so there's no doubting his mental fortitude.

 

Over rated, but has improved. if you'd asked this after his first 3 fights I would have said :rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl

 

I like what I've seen from Degale so far. The guy has good speed and power, underpinned by excellent technique.

That said, we've not really seen him against top level opposition yet. Not that he should be fighting world class competition right now, I think Frank Warren is doing a good job moving him forward at this "accelerated" but not "premature" rate.

If he maintains his dedication, we may have a world champ on our hands here. I'll reserve final judgement however until we've seen a few more fights from him.

 

I don't get how beating paul smith puts him above brian magee in the british rankings though.

 

DeGale is pure quality, I was at the show in the ECHO arena and the way he handled the atmosphere is simply a testament to how good he is. He has adapted so well to the professional game already, if he fought Groves he would school him. I like Groves, and I would prefer him to win, but there is no doubting the class of DeGale. The better question is who would you throw him in against now if you were in the shoes of Warren? He's clearly above domestic level but doesn't have many rounds. I'd get him in there with a few tough, durable, awkward fringe European contenders then get him in there with somebody like Andrade.

 

Warren should lash him on some big American undercards. Improve his stock over there. Get him used to some good B level fighter to see what he's made of.

 

After his first 3 fights i thought he was a joke and plus i thought he was a complete ****.

But hes looking good nowadays. I like the fact they seem to be moving him along faster than usual for a Frank Warren fighter. I dont mind cockiness as long as its backed up and hes doing it now. Hes good and im starting to become a fan.

PS- He would murder Groves and Hayemaker know it

 

Far too early to tell, but I've been impressed with James Degale. He's only had 9 Professional fights, and he's already mixing up his combination's to body and head, and he knows how to defend himself on the inside expertly. Perhaps his lack of punching power could deter any future World Titles, but he's a very talented lad.

 

Agree. Degale has too much "raw" talent and would give Groves a good beat down. That's not to say it wouldn't be a good fight, I for one am certainly looking forward to it. I do think however that there is a chance this fight just might not happen. Right now it seems there is a bit of an achievement race between the two, a race I quite fancy DeGale to fast pull away from and leave Groves behind taking smaller steps. It'll either happen very shortly, or by the time Booth/Groves are willing to face DeGale, he'll be too far ahead, earning too much to look behind or we'll see Groves slip up in the meantime.

I'd agree with you on the opposition statement too. Can't really summarise it any differently than how you have but I think it's definately the way forward for DeGale. Crack the domestic level, jump into some "Euro duro" bouts, then start matching up against similarly skilled opposition.

 

He's a natural counter puncher though, so he's not suited to fighting guys who are pretty much there to lose. He doesn't have the power or the experience fighting on the front foot to stop these guys. That said, when he steps it up in class and he's the one who doesn't have to press the fight every time, I'd expect him to look like a better puncher. He's got a stiff enough punch but his stoppages, when he steps up in the future, will come from the angles he uses, his punch variety and his timing. When guys are covering up, it doesn't suit him at all.

I think he's pretty much a lock for a world title in the near future.

 

Meh I prefer Groves and would pick him all day long to beat Degale, Degale is pretty easy to it and Groves will test his chin to the max. Anderson is far better than Smith, that fight did Groves more good than harm, a good learning fight rather than a one sided beat down.