James Degale takes on Badou Jack next Saturday on January 14th for the chance to become the super middleweight IBF and WBC world champion. This is a huge fight for Degale because unifying the division takes him to another level in terms of stock and it adds to his lasting legacy. I've been a fan of Degale since I first saw him box in my local gym and I have followed his career fairly closely. Having said that, I do not think I have ever since him in better shape than he looks to be in the lead up to this unification bout. His cardio has always been his Achilles heel and he isn't a boxer who looks physically imposing like an AJ but it seems he has really put in the work this time around.
Thoughts on Degale's chances and his current shape?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOZhB2rhAHt/?taken-by=jamesdegale1
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOz-zg7hMOy/?taken-by=jamesdegale1
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO2nG6NhiLz/?taken-by=jamesdegale1
James Degale in superb shape for Jack fight
posted on 15/1/17
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 15/1/17
"If Jack vacates,which would be a cowardly move in my opinion"
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Jack has been saying he's going to move up for over a year, there's nothing cowardly about moving up in weight. He looked like a zombie at the weigh in on Friday, he has a very hard time making 168.
posted on 15/1/17
Also Smith would absolutely torch Dirrell...
posted on 15/1/17
comment by peksson savastano (U6618)
posted 1 hour, 7 minutes ago
Jack's punches seemed much heavier than de gales
The effect they had on eachother can be judged by the state of their faces at the end
Jack didnt look to badly beaten up
De Gale looked like he'd been clubbed about the head with a baseball bat
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There's also the counter argument that some boxers mark up and cut much easier than others.. Hatton being a prime example.
That said, I agree with you.. Jack's shots looked to do more damage but then kudos to DeGale for still being there taking them.. And answering with combinations of his own.
posted on 15/1/17
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 15/1/17
comment by The Guvnor (U12889)
posted 35 minutes ago
comment by John Locke (U1204)
posted 2 hours, 19 minutes ago
"If Jack vacates,which would be a cowardly move in my opinion"
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Jack has been saying he's going to move up for over a year, there's nothing cowardly about moving up in weight. He looked like a zombie at the weigh in on Friday, he has a very hard time making 168.
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Jack looked healthy to me at the weigh in and he was physically the better conditioned fighter during the fight, which of course are not signs of a guy that is struggling. Jack looked like he could have gone a few more rounds.
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Jack has always been well conditioned, he's a gritty fighter with good workrate, that doesn't mean he's at his best. He says he struggles to make 168 and has been saying he's going to move up for over a year. He knows his body.
Also Chunky's engine has always been **** so it's no surprise Jack finished way stronger, they're complete opposites
posted on 15/1/17
Also Chunky's engine has always been **** so it's no surprise Jack finished way stronger, they're complete opposites
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Did you even watch the fight
The middle rounds cost degale
He actually came on stronger in round 9 10 and 11 and it was a cracking shot which put him down
I though degale just lost but he deffo got a second wind and was coming on strong in the later rounds
posted on 15/1/17
And to add
I think jack needs to move up, he looked too big for the weight
posted on 16/1/17
comment by LIW - Monk build a statue (U8453)
posted 10 hours, 26 minutes ago
Also Chunky's engine has always been **** so it's no surprise Jack finished way stronger, they're complete opposites
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Did you even watch the fight
The middle rounds cost degale
He actually came on stronger in round 9 10 and 11 and it was a cracking shot which put him down
I though degale just lost but he deffo got a second wind and was coming on strong in the later rounds
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He lost round 9. I had Jack 7-2 up going into 10, I gave Chunky rounds 10 and 11 but he didn't outwork Jack in those rounds, he won by using his legs more and pivoting everytime he got his shots off.
Chunky's gas tank is a problem, no doubt about it.
posted on 16/1/17
Great fight, fell asleep during the Davis fight and only watched it last night. Kudo's to Chunky he showed he has real physical toughness, Perosonally I think he showed last night his engine is fine. He took lots of heavy body shots but was still able to rally back in the last 3 rounds. That shows that he does have good enough stamina, the fitness side of things I think is mental, i imagine that also the teeth thing woulda went thro his mind at some points in the fight judging by how he sounded after the fight. He was gutted at getting caught in that last round that cost him the fight.
Looks like Jacks team are dodging the rematch however, if he can still make 168 at 32 then he can do it again later on in the year, give em both 6 months off to recover from that war and do it again. Although that was a draw that fight will do wonders for DeGale he knows he can go life and death and still come thro it combine that belief with his speed and skills and will defo come back stronger and I dont think Hearn will fancy putting Smith in there with him.