James DeGale is the total package, but also a bit dirty

This guy is a super talent and likely the next big thing coming out of the UK, incredible natural talent combined with excellent technical skills, but also knows and uses every little trick by the book. James DeGale is certianly an interesting case, he completely dismantled and dominated Paul Smith using crazy handspeed, superb timing, nice combinations and good power, and looked completely loose and elusive in there, showing some old school moves and spectacular punches. He also bent the rules on more than one occasion, opened the very fight with a forearm shove, and it didn't take too long to show he can push, hold and hit, use his head and shoulders on the inside and bend low. A bit too much if you ask me, he should get rid of these before he'll be labelled dirty as Hopkins, Bika or Ward. But the sky is the limit for the kid.

Here are two gifs, some nice moves (that overhand right is like WTF) & the end of the fight.

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More of these and less of the tricks please!

 

He toyed with a tough, experienced B-level fighter in his 9th fight, displayed some outstanding skills and finished in style - what a left hook in the end! My problem is that he used too many skills, some outside of this sport. He held and hit Smith numerous times as well as he used his shoulders almost every time on the inside. Also, a head butt opened up Paul's cut and it was DeGale who rushed in, and he was warned for the forearm, hitting after break and low blows as well.

"Complete performance" if you like, he really pulled everything out of the bag.

 

We all have different positions, I just find yours hard to defend. Still, DeGale is the real deal, no doubt about that for a minute, he's the complete package. But unless there's a pressure from the media and fans he'll continue to bend the rules. Same critique I had with Ward, top writers rarely touch on the subject, so why would he stop it if he can get away with the tricks?

 

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Anyway, DeGale's handspeed and elusiveness is unreal. Not since Roy Jones I've seen such a fast short left hook from a position seemingly impossible to generate power.

 

DeGale used them in earlier fights too, he gets warned regularly. Nothing is set in stone though, he's a young kid and has plenty of time to get rid of these (especially the forearm and hold&hit), and some of the borderline tactics are acceptable with a bad boy note. The thing is: he's fun to watch, just too bad he leaves a bad taste in your mouth.