I'm not bothered about avatar bets. I've won them before and never bothered enforcing them anyway. I'll look a tit if Smith wins without the avatar
Fair enough. Livra, stop ****ing stalking me!! Whoever mentioned about dirrell. If don't want to see degale running a la dirrell. Simple as that. I like punches, I like trading, I like guts. This is what degale must do to warn respect and also to win. I just feel at this stage if his career he will come a cropper if he dies this with smigga
I think DeGale will surprise a few that believe he's a bit of a fancy Dan with no substance. I reckon he'll stand in the pocket on occasion in this fight. Standing in the pocket isn't just about being tough, its about anticipation, defence, being able to pivot, slip, slide, move the head. And I think DeGale is going to be a lot more elusive at close quarters than Smithy. But DeGale does also have that option to mix it up and box on the outside too. He's got many options in this fight, because he's far more talented. Smith doesn't have many choices, he has to hope DeGale obliges him in a toe to toe battle and that he can old man the youngster down the stretch. I'd also be VERY concerned about DeGale's slashing type punching/inside of the glove if I was Smith's camp. He could get busted up fairly quick.
Great fight, fair play to Frank and Degale for stepping up to make the fight. People are underestimating Paul Smith to almost criminal extremes, the guy is a legit top 25 168 lber. How long was it before Amir Khan faced a top 25 Fighter? Also this fight is in Liverpool and Smith has a lot of fans which will certainly help his cause.
TFFP just said what i was thinking, I think Smith's soft skin may be his downfall in this one. DeGale slashes and cuffs away and i could see him getting opened up early. I personally feel DeGale will take it to Smith as well as box off back foot. He won't be scared to mix it with Smith. He doesn't bang that much and also is very scrappy when on inside. I feel if DeGale is 100% focused from start of camp to the fight he will win and win well. Smith just hasn't impressed me overly last couple of years.
Both fighters bring enough to concern each other to a certain extent, but I think degale will be more concerned, as this will be when he funds out if he's got it or not. Degale won't do anything smith hasn't seen before
Degale will go into the fight with the words of his trainer ringing in hisear not to trade, no to get involved in a scrap with Smigga. Whether he does as he's told or not, I don't know but if he does box at range and beats Smith, he'll still get heaps of respect. Why does he have to stand and trade to get respect? I'm from Liverpool and I have a lot of respect for Paul Smith I just don't see him out boxing Degale he's going to have to be all over him like a rash which plays into Chunky's hands counter punching. I look forward to being there and seeing how it turns out :bbb
when has he been in with someone with degales speed and pedigree , we all hate how the ams is scored but degales a real classy boxer , not a classy person in the public eye but a classy boxer
good fight fair play to w.arren and degale,even if degale did trade with degale is there not a chance he will be to strong for smith? i imagine he will be the bigger man seeing as smith still looks like a middleweight?
He needs to do that in my eyes. Degale got a touch when he stopped dilks in one! Mr degale will be pulled into that type if fight as smith will be unrelentless. Due to difference in height between both of them, I think body shots and uppercuts will play a significant role for smith. For degale to win he does need to get in and out looking sharp 3-4 punch combos, and it is feasible for it to pan out that way for the first 3-4 rounds I guess, but that will take it's toll. If smigga work his way in behind a busy and solid jab, he will create opportunities to get inside, work The left hook, and bring the uppercut in. It all boils down to who negates who better. Head movement will also be key for smith. Plus mixing it up with straight right leads occasionally. If degale punches and turns, punches and turns, he could look good without inflicting too Much damage. It's precariously balanced. If smith closes to distance come in with head movement and a good jab, and launches his work off that, he could look good against degale. I must say it's got the juices flowing this one!
How did he get a touch Avid?? Dilks didn't complain and was like rabbit in head lights, he was on way to getting pogger'd up imo. He offered nothing and looked like a victim. I would agree it was called early but tbh it only delayed the inevitable. As for Smith using head movement and a good jab....it's right but do you think he will bother to use it? because he's neglected it over and over recently and seemed more happier to maul his way to victory. I think DeGale needs to use lateral movement, try not to give to much distance but keep close enough to score and get away. Turn Smith onto shots and bust him up. If he gives to much room and allows Smith the initiative he will end up getting trapped on ropes and allow Smith to maul. The crowd will the roar and that may influence weak judges. I like to see DeGale take sting out of crowd from get go.
He got a touch because they were glove shots most if them. There us a blueprint for both fighters to win the fight. Degale needs to be busy, in and out, and try to set up as he us coming out. Smith in the other hand IMO needs to get back to the jab more often, and bring in the uppercut. My whole point with degale has been that he has been in fights where ge can do what he wants I.e. Sam Horton. The way ge finished that fight was great. What ye did during the fight not so great. He was getting caught, fortunately by a non puncher. I don't think degale is the amazing mover and technician people make him out to be, and he will be fighting a dangerously underrated puncher and boxer. let's be honest not a lot of people in here rate smith too highly. I do evidently. In some respects degale is just an unknown quantity, due to having had so few pro fights. We know he can beat area level fighters, we don't know what he can do beyond that. We don't know if he can truly go the distance. We don't know if he will still have those skills under pressure. He obviously underestimates smith. Like I have already said smith is a seasoned, hard, talented pro, who has heard all the talk before, and faced fighters who were arguably more technically gifted than him, and still won. I am yet to be convinced degale will take the title. He has shown me promise so far. He is going into the lions den with not nearly enough experience. Like I have also said, I'll still be here if he wins, and I'll hold my hands up. But IMO, there Is more against him than for him going into this fight. I think allegedly is feeding him to smith!