I guess thats fair enough regarding the WBO. My main argument in this thread was with him getting a belt too early that a decent fighter might then want. With Frankie at the controls I guess he'll be OK with the WBO.
They are opposite sides of the spectrum, pushing too early or pushing too late. I mean, a reference to Kevin Mitchell would be trying to discredit the opinion of "it's too early" by using the example of the most padded career in recent domestic history.
I'm not saying he is planning his career around a loss but surely he has a plan B like he has with numerous fighters who have lost. IF Warren believes in you, he steps you up, if he doesn't you know about it. Calzaghe was stepped up in the beginning, as was Hamed. Hatton, he didn't believe and admitted as much and tried to give him the weakest champs until Hatton said Tszyu or nothing. In hindsight, they lost for serious reasons and made adjustments because of them. I for one hope DeGale steps up, win or lose. I think he could win.
Thinking of 160s for some reason. Like you say DeGale could win and learn off of contenders rather than shitters. I agree with your list of possibles. Smith has beaten Dodson and Quigley and DeGale dominated him. I don't mind DeGale sticking around for Groves or a few other interesting bouts at this level but as an Olympian I don't mind him stepping up. Same way I didn't mind Haye jumping a level cos he was a Silver medalist.
We'll see, I remain sceptical over the thinking about going for a WBA title this early and after 9 fights. Naz, Calzaghe wern't stepped up that early, I know Degale is an Olympic champ but Calzaghe was also a highly decorated amatuer.
if that trumpet mundine could hold that belt for a few years, degale should be fine. Frank will see to it.
I roll with that. I think it will enable some tough, learning fights on a fairly consistent basis. The kinda' jokers Calzaghe was fed (Pudwill for instance) would be a sterner test for a guy who is 9-0. He will have a head up on the rest of the 'prospects' who won't see these kinda' fights until they're 20+ on the win ledger.