The route of least resistance. With all that's going on in the division, Super 6 and Bute, then the WBA (Regular) and WBO belts are the only way to go.
No, make the fight now. Boxers need to take a leaf out of MMA book and sort it the **** out. DeGales rise has been good. Good looking record, decent progression. Sartisan is obviously a decent fighter but he is a good contender. He isn't yet a Pavlik, Sturm, Martinez etc Plus, Warren could **** off Booth and move onto something bigger.
I agree with you, its all well and good beating a solid guy like Sartisan, but what happens when the Dirrell's and the Kessler's come looking for a title to pick up, i genuinly think those kind of fights, if he could swim in those fights it would be brilliant, but if he he was to sink due to inexperience and take a hellacious beating it would be a complete waste of talent.
He wouldn't embarrass himself against Kessler or Dirrell. He has a lot of attributes to cause Kessler problems, and even if he lost so what? People would expect that. As for Dirrell, sure he could beat DeGale, but he's not exactly a destroyer who's going to rip your head off is he? It's not going to scar you for life losing to Dirrell. Besides, I don't think you can second guess things in boxing, worrying about who might come and challenge for the title and such down the line when there is no guarantee. If the title is there to win, in a favourable scenario such as this or Stieglitz, its worth taking on.
Those two guys are two world class fighters, yes Degale could pose problems for Kessler but its very possible he simply wouldnt have the experience to deal with that kind of guy who will take you to the trenches and brings a great deal of intensity, a guy who will lay it all on the line and go to war (as long as he isnt getting hit by third fists). I mentioned the two guys above for a reason, a loss to either one could be very damaging in very different ways.
A loss to Dirrell would never be damaging IMO. He's not a big puncher unless you do something absolutely ridiculous like Froch did, wading in onto a timed left-hook counter. He never sets himself to punch. If he outspeeds you and runs for a decision, big deal, hardly going to be the end of the world. Kessler has a serious eye injury, I wouldn't be sat there worrying about a guy thats probably seen better days, and has struggled with southpaws/handspeed before AND might not even get back to his best and even if he did there is no guarantee he'd go the same route for a title shot. We've seen enough in the last few weeks to show that nothing is set in stone in boxing. DeGale is promising enough that we shouldn't be sat here shitting ourselves about what might or might not happen if he wins a title. There is a great opportunity here with average fighters like Stieglitz and Sartisan in positions of power, grab it with both hands IMO.
Sartisan isnt anything special, just because he has "WBA" next to his name doesn't mean ****, isn't that much better than Smith.
I think Dirrell has deceptive pop but i think a loss to him could damage Degale's confidence more than damage him physically, why put James in a position where a fight could cause him to go backwards instead of forwards, i like the idea of him fighting guys like stieglitz and Sartisan as they offer Degale a chance to gain much needed experience whilst giving him a challange. Gaining a world title too soon leads to him fighting very polished fighters very quickly and could lead to a very damaging defeat, not neccersarily to a shop worn Kessler or the equaly gifted but mentally weak Dirrell. Maybe im blowing a load of hot air but i simply dont want to see a talent like that wasted because of a heavy defeat.:good
I'd stick DeGale in, the more I think about it. He seems the sort of lad that needs a challenge to motivate him.... he was getting a bit of stick before fighting Sam Horton and went out and raped the bloke, then people were saying the Smith fight was too soon and he was just as dominant over him. You've only got to look at the Dilks fight..... Dilks is an honest fighter but in truth isn't much better than a goodish journeyman, DeGale couldn't be arsed making the weight the first time and still won by first round stoppage. I'm starting to think that he's just THAT good. On his pro debut he looked gash but ever since there's been a big improvement in every fight. He treated Smith like a 3rd rate sparring partner. Not saying I'd shove him in with a Dirrell or a Kessler, but definitely a Sartison, a Haussler or Stieglitz. Why the hell not? Lots of people gave Smith half a chance, and DeGale whipped him.....
I don't read too much into the Smith win ona world level. It was impressive by Degale in his 9th fight but Smiths world ranking with some of the orgs was way too high (and yes, I WAS saying that before the fight rather than just using hindsight!!!).
These guys are a step up up from Smith but its not a chasm or at all unrealistic. Stieglitz and Sartisan I mean. The sort of progression that its not too unreasonable to expect for a fighter of this pedigree that dealt with his last challenge with such consummate ease. I don't buy into all this fretting over who he might face in the future. Deal with that if/when it happens. They're both injured last I heard, even if they do come back there is no guarantee they gun for DeGale, they'd probably want a tune up. So what if they do anyway.
I guess I'm just not that happy with the number of fights he's had and the type of fights he's been involved in. I think he could be in for a rude awakening in 2012 when he's 13-0 and looking to take on the elite of the division.
Well, that is always going to be there. The thing is, people are worried about the spectres of Kessler and Dirrell lingering but...if they're such an immediate threat why wait for them to snap up these easy wins? At least this way DeGale/Warren have some measure of control over things. It's better striking while the iron is hot than sitting around second guessing IMO, he could be in a situation where he beats up a few Euro stiffs or gatekeepers next year and then all the belts are tied up by strong opponents, that can't be preferable. Ordinarily, Stieglitz/Sartisan would be decent steps up for a British champion. Not an average British champion, but one thats very talented, has good pedigree and won is last fight comfortably and looks a step up from anyone at domestic level. Just because they might be for 'world titles' doesn't mean they should run away from it IMO