What's the British reaction to DeGale?

[oliverfennell]

As I now live in Thailand I haven't got any feel for the British reaction to DeGale's win other than on this board, so what's the general public/press reaction like, compared to Audley and Amir?

Audley was big news because he was a super-heavy and Khan was an even bigger story due to his age, despite not getting gold. DeGale is neither a heavyweight nor a "kid", so am I right to assume he's not quite as big a story as Audley and Amir were?

[funso banjo baby]

As I now live in Thailand I haven't got any feel for the British reaction to DeGale's win other than on this board, so what's the general public/press reaction like, compared to Audley and Amir?

Audley was big news because he was a super-heavy and Khan was an even bigger story due to his age, despite not getting gold. DeGale is neither a heavyweight nor a "kid", so am I right to assume he's not quite as big a story as Audley and Amir were?

the british like it

[salaco]

Correct, but in the context of so many British golds and medals generally, he got a little lost in the shuffle. Plus, he wasn't always fun to watch, and his personality grates, a lot of his comments were unnecessary and not very gracious. Even afterwards, see below:
http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news ... ghtle.html

He had the tournament of his life though and you have to hand it to him. Unlike others here, however, I don't think his style will hold up that well in the pros.

[yiddo14]

Thats a good find Salaco.

I must admit, I like him. He seems to speak whats on his mind, he is not over-arrogant(like NAz for instance)and he reminds me a bit of Haye in the way he talks.

He is quite a comical guy, and I think he is pretty much bang on the money with what he said in that link Salaco provided.

It would be refreshing to see him stay amateur, although I don't think he will do.
If what he says is true, surely that means perennial losers like Craig Pickering, Simeon Williamson and well, pretty much all of the GB track and field team have been getting more funding than he has!

[BAMBI]

i could very see Degayle fitting with the haye-maker camp.

Big up to James, he went in as a big under-dog in winning a gold, and kapow he did it!!!!

[dr_devious]

Degale obviously has very fine boxing skills and very good speed, will be interesting to see how he gets on in the pros. Maybe his style wont suit, hard to tell

[Poncey]

He told the man-faced woman that does the horses on BBC that he's staying amateur as the Olympics are in his home town.

[Gray-Fox]

The reaction is good, but let's be honest, if you consider the kinds of talents that have won olympic gold medals in yesteryear, Degale's win was more in the mould of guys ike Henry Maske and Oleg Saitov than it was Mario Kindelan or Guillermo Rigondeaux.

that said, credit where it's due. He came through the hardest weight.

[TerribleTerry]

I know Maske was a fairly stoic and uninspiring performer at times, but if Degale can go on to have half as successful a pro career as the German then he will have done very well for himself I reckon.

[TerribleTerry]

He told the man-faced woman that does the horses on BBC that he's staying amateur as the Olympics are in his home town.

His position on the matter has shifted slightly in the light of a (supposed) million pound offer to turn his vest in:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic ... 581630.stm

(Nice to see PM Brown can see the value of boxing in schools also)

[Kilburn]

If the million quid offer really is there I'd be staggered if DeGale didn't take it. As pleased as I was for him I've never really felt his achievment has had anything like the impact that Amir Khan's silver medal winning effort did.

We did so much better as a nation than in Athens, people weren't relying on our boxers as much.

[oliverfennell]

Is there any good reason whatsoever for DeGale to stay amateur?

He's of a good age to go pro, not too old like Audley, but he would be over the optimum age for turning over if he stays amateur another four years. Besides, if he gets any less than gold in 2012, his signing-on incentives will be less than they are now. As for sentimental reasons about the next Olympics being in his hometown; well surely the possibility of fighting for a world title in his hometown would be just as good? (Obviously getting ahead of myself there, but it's not an unrealistic ambition after Olympic gold).

[Twinkle Toes]

Is there any good reason whatsoever for DeGale to stay amateur?

He's of a good age to go pro, not too old like Audley, but he would be over the optimum age for turning over if he stays amateur another four years. Besides, if he gets any less than gold in 2012, his signing-on incentives will be less than they are now. As for sentimental reasons about the next Olympics being in his hometown; well surely the possibility of fighting for a world title in his hometown would be just as good? (Obviously getting ahead of myself there, but it's not an unrealistic ambition after Olympic gold).

Agree with you 100% Oliver - I know he was giving out positive sound bites while still over in Beijing about staying amateur, but as Terry has already pointed out, he is shifting into different options.

I think that was only natural once he was away from the camp, and around faimly and friends - He'll go pro in my opinion.

[BAMBI]

I would like to see Sunderland and Blanco of Venezuela to turn pro right away.

[stujones]

To be honest, I'm surprised he has been offered that much money. The attention he has had has been minimal compared to messrs Harrison and Khan.

Couple of major reasons I think.

1) More attention laid on the likes of Hoy, Addington and the other multiple gold medalists.

2) The publicised funding meant medals were expected... whereas the public felt Khan/Harrison won inspite of the system.

3) Standard of the boxing was well documented.

4) Standard of the judging was well documented.

[lefthook82]

I'm a little surprised as well. Thats a lot of coin for someone who might not have a ready made fanbase like Khan did, but hey, Warren et al knows what they are doing

[oliverfennell]

I'd be interested to read Warren's congratulatory text message and then compare it with what he writes in his Sun column if DeGale signs with anybody else.

[whiskey]

Fair play to him, Bayeaux looked pretty handy in the earlier fights during the competition and for Degale to nick it against a decent Cuban like that then well done I say.

I hope he turns pro and does well. I just hope he doesn't sign for a pillock who then feeds him bums for 5 years whilst simultaneously calling out Pavlik before each one, in a similar vein to Khan.

[03mcgs0]

I would like to see Sunderland and Blanco of Venezuela to turn pro right away.

You wont have to wait too long to see Sutherland in the pro's, he turning pro straight away.

In my opinion, Sutherland would walk all over Degale in the pro's, Degale is a good amateur but I don’t think his style would be good in the pro’s

[DavidPayne]

I agree entirely.

[Old bones Ian]

There would have to be changes to DeGales style a bit, but it doesn't mean he wouldn't have sucess as a pro, the main thing with the pros is the chin for me, without a good chin skills will only take you so far. I don't mean this to be me saying DeGale hasn't got a good chin, i've not seen any evidence that there is a problem in that department.

Also the right choice of trainer for DeGale, someone who wouldn't try turning him into a puncher, would be the right choice, let him develop his boxing into a box/fighter type.

Sutherland will be a good pro, i'd also like to see the Italian Camerelle go pro, think he may be to old to defend his olympic title in 4 years, so why not give the pros a try.

I liked the look of Oscar Rivas columbian super heavy, he may be raw , but showed good power and held up against Camerelle when losing to him.

French lad Nordine Oubaali looked a good prospect at lightfly, got jobbed against the chinese boxer for me.

[Asterix]

What about featherweights Khedafi Djelkhir and Arturo Santos Reyes? They both fought each other like it was a pro fight. Great stuff.