So much for DeGale and Cleverly eh Brits?

Jeff Lacy, in addition to being a hype job, was not very good.

I'm just asking for a little consistency here. If Danny Jacobs is a hype job, losing early in his career to the 29 year old Dmitry Pirog (a fighter that compares favorably to George Groves, may we agree?) then what, exactly is James Degale if not an out and out hype job?

Am I being too exacting to demand some consistency from our British friends here?

 

I think you have to be an incredibly negative person to watch the DeGale/Groves fight and come up with any sort of criticisms. Listen to the crowd, look at the tactics, look at the cuts, look at the aggression. These are fights I can't complain about and, honestly, I don't think genuine boxing fans can either. I just stuck the fight on again and watched the result being announced. What a moment that was. Truly special moment, I think.

As for Cleverly, how can you hate on someone who is just doing their job? You can't criticize him in the slightest.

I agree with you, mate. He isn't a fan of boxing.

 

Sorry Jack, but wrong. Last night's fight shows Degale has poor ring I.Q. & doesn't know how to cut off the ring. You said it, Degale is a counter-puncher who doesn't know how to take the initiative, i.e. tactically one-dimensional.

 

Groves probably surprised DeGale with his game plan but was not doing anything affective himself, at least DeGale was trying to make the fight and should've been rewarded for his efforts.The close rounds seem to have automatically been given to Groves as if he was the defending champion and DeGale the challenger and maybe the judges were influenced by Groves popularity.I guessed halfway through that DeGale would win but not be given the nod and that proved to be the case.Just because DeGale mouthed off that doesn't justify the decision. DeGale won as he did in the amateurs, despite other opinions perhaps fuelled by dislike for DeGale.He won that fight! Laugh of the night Groves making out he wasn't hit whilst sporting a face like a pound of mince!

 

20 bucks says this clown is from the UK, home of the most biased delusional fans on earth.

listen ******, people were claiming these kids could beat the likes of Dirrell, Dawson, Ward, am I off base by saying they don't stand a chance vs any of them? they would get embarassed vs any of these guys. Diaconu would ass **** these jokers

 

Why does nationality thing have to brought into the argument? These Americans vs Brits threads are ****ing stupid, and really should have nothing to do with the sport.

 

I think Khan, as long as he sticks with Roach, has more the potential to become one of Britain's most successful boxers after Lennox Lewis. He can fight going forwards (footwork still needs to improve) or backwards and amongst Britain's current fighters is the most technically complete.

 

I agree, he doesn't know how to cut off a ring but why would he? Ali was terrible at cutting off the ring and why? Because he was a defensive fighter. When forced to fight on the front foot, he didn't look as good. I know DeGale is a much, much lesser example but the point remains. When a fighter has to fight out of their comfort zone, they are never as effective.

In those situations, a fighter needs a corner who can tell him what to do. When Groves went back to his corner, he received clear and correct instructions. McDonnell was clueless. Whilst I agree that DeGale has his limitations coming forward, McDonnell has to take the brunt of the blame because he was the one who needed to give DeGale answers and he simply didn't.

DeGale isn't great coming forward and never will be. He's a counter puncher and should only be judged as one. To criticize him going forward is fine, and I'd agree, but that isn't his style now and it certainly won't be in the future. When he is a counter puncher, he looks great and that's the style he should stick to.

The last thing you said was "tactically one dimensional" and it's true. It's clear DeGale hadn't been working on that side of his game because he was expecting something different from Groves. DeGale lost to Groves, yes, but the big result of the night was Booth clearly coming up with a better gameplan than McDonnell.

 

Problem is, Degale will never fulfill the hype if he can only counterpunch. He cannot go through his career expecting all his opponents to fight his kind of fight, especially at world level. This is what made Calzaghe such a special fighter, his ability to adjust. Joe's ring I.Q was up there with the very best, something Degale just doesn't have...

 

yea right who said that then ? because a couple of morons do don't tar us all with the same brush.

 

Cleverly is not a bad kid, but he still needs a lot of work on his game, I think everybody can see that.

As for Degale, I still think he's an amazing talent and that he'll become a great champion one day.