Paul Smith v James Degale

[ourkid1984]

Good fight but if Smith had been more active this fight wouldn't of happened yet as Smith should be fighting European belts by now.

Well the question about whether DeGale deserves a British title shot yet will continue but I really can't see many more who he could beat to be up there for a British title fight. I know people will say Groves and maybe a couple more buthe's far more deserving than Harrison is for a world title fight and then lets not forget Chisora.

In my opinion I can't see anything less than a stoppage and not sure which way it will go yet. Will Degale get too tired after throwing his best punches for Smith to come back in the later rounds and beat him? Or will Degale catch Smith with too many big shots early on and then the ref to stop it? All I know is I'm looking forward to this one and think it can be another fight similar to the Benn - Eubank fights.

[Deserter]

I'm genuinely surprised this match has been made. Fwank must have some serious faith in Degale to be throwing him in with Smith at this stage of his career.
Equally, he's clearly not remotely concerned about trying to manoeuvre Smith into a position where he's challenging for higher honours - talk about a minimum reward, maximum risk fight for the Liverpudlian.
Great match for the fans though.
Hope Smith pulls it off.

Career high pay day, home advantage for Smith. If he wins, he's made his name for a world title fight. If he loses, he's still in mix for British title as Warren will have to move DeGale on quickly.
Could be start of a rivalry to replace Groves v DeGale. Let's not forget Watson kayoed Benn for the Commonwealth title.

How does beating an eight-fight novice advance him towards a world title fight? Despite Chunky's Olympian achievements, this match simply doesn't do what you're claiming - Warren could secure that for Smith by a far easier and more effective route if he so chose.
If he loses, he's got nowhere to go in terms of further honours, which given his aspirations, means the career high pay day will be no consolation.
I think comparisons to a Benn vs Watson-style scenario are way off the mark if I'm honest.

[orbtastic]

I don't think it's a great match of styles either, has potential to be a bit of a stinker.

Says something when an 8 fight novice is your career high payday (as someone has suggested)?

[15829]

really tough fight to call, but hopefully smiths power and experiance will prove decisive. cant wait for this now

[Deserter]

I think comparisons to a Benn vs Watson-style scenario are way off the mark if I'm honest.

Very probably. I deliberately chose to compare the fight with Lewis vs. Mason. Gary fought just twice more after Lewis beat him. Were Smith to be soundly beaten (i.e. 118-110/KO/TKO) I could forsee a similar scenario. A close points loss would not pose quite the same impact on his career. Smith, though, will have no doubts that he is being viewed as a trialhorse in this one and will be out to prove he is anything but.

I agree on all counts. If you wanted to draw a parallel in the same domestic weight-division historically then something like Calzaghe vs Delaney is probably closest, should your scenario regarding the outcome play out.

[bigh]

so wheres frank warrens show in december liverpool or london?

[FIGHTFANs]

well all the stick i got on here saying i am full of bu,,,ll about this fight i was spot on

[SAPFO]

Just heard this while thinking of leaving the gym. I am staying another hour in celebration Cmon smigga

[reggaereggae]

Lord I hope Paul SMASHES that pr1ck..........

[Lenny]

Fair play to Degale for stepping up so early, Smith will be a big test for him but I think it's one he will come through.

[stevek3lly]

Lord I hope Paul SMASHES that pr1ck..........

Nice one Regae, I will 2nd this.

[Newport Daz]

This fight will certainly tell us how good Degale is. Smith certainly isn't the bus driver and doorman types his record is made up of so far. I can see a close, scrappy affair as Smith won;t allow Degale to get away with anything. If it's close, I can see Degale getting the nod as he's the one being fast-tracked as the new cash cow. If Degale gets blown out, Frank will probably stop his current match making trend, which would be a shame.

[freddydoesdallas]

It's a good fight and the right fight for DeGale. No point in crowing and ending up flat on your back in the first against some unknown foreigner. Smith will go in with confidence (rightly so as a legitimate British Champion) and DeGale has yet to face anyone like that so far in his career.

Are there any prices available on this yet?

[JamesH]

I like both guys but will be hoping for and expecting a De Gale win, I just think he's got further to go after a win than Smith would be able to. Full credit to both for taking the fight, Smith for going up against an untested but exciting talent and De Gale for fighting for a British title in his 9th fight against a proven British champion. Cant wait for fight night...

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Fair play to Spud on this one - I have to say I never thought this would happen even though he insisted he would - so Spud, if you are reading this...

[Gazmac81]

Fair play to Spud on this one - I have to say I never thought this would happen even though he insisted he would - so Spud, if you are reading this...

Does Spud not get his info from a the guy at his corner shop though?

[Tommy Gunn13]

I was one of them who said Smigga was avoiding Groves,im glad this Degale fight is happening&i will be rooting for Smith as i can not stand Degale(bit like marmite)
I see it either going 2ways Smith to stop him late(behind on scorecards) or Degale wide points decision...

[FIGHTFANs]

I was one of them who said Smigga was avoiding Groves,im glad this Degale fight is happening&i will be rooting for Smith as i can not stand Degale(bit like marmite)
I see it either going 2ways Smith to stop him late(behind on scorecards) or Degale wide points decision...

Degale contract up in febuary think f.w is seeing if degale got it before splashing loads of more money at him,come on smigga

[d]

Come on Smigga!!!

Really good fight this one, credit to Paul for taking it at he doesn't really need it at this stage.
Degale is improving without a doubt, after being in the opposite corner to Paul,it's only then you realise just how strong he actually is.
Gonna be very interesting down the stretch!

[ed robinson]

Smigga's a star guest on Ringside tonight.

[iwz678]

Chunky's talented but this is a big test after just eight pro fights. Paul Smith is at home, proven over 12 and is versatile tactically, hope Smigga wins :)

Surprised that Warren hasnt put DeGale in with Paul David who was supposed to fight Smigga, who should have been moved up to fight for the vacant European in my opinion, but I suppose this is Boxing and it will be a real blockbuster.

[MightyWarrior]

What a great fight. FW steps up with a real quality fight for the fans.

DeGale looks real class, and will be favorite, but he's an 8 fight prospect, taking on an ambitious champion with near 30 fights in his own back yard. It's a brave and ambitious move by all concerned - FW, Smith and DeGale.

Dec 11th is shaping up to be a night to remember for UK boxing. They'll have to break mid way through the Liverpool show for over to Germany ( on red button? could be quick, hope so for Del Boy's sake ) then over to the States for Khan in the biggest test of his career.

[Fatsam]

degale rd6

[mickey1975]

What a great fight. FW steps up with a real quality fight for the fans.

DeGale looks real class, and will be favorite, but he's an 8 fight prospect, taking on an ambitious champion with near 30 fights in his own back yard. It's a brave and ambitious move by all concerned - FW, Smith and DeGale.

Dec 11th is shaping up to be a night to remember for UK boxing. They'll have to break mid way through the Liverpool show for over to Germany ( on red button? could be quick, hope so for Del Boy's sake ) then over to the States for Khan in the biggest test of his career.

No chance they will show a Klitschko fight on the red button.They will sort something out.

[hurlock]

there are so many question's to be asked on why this fight is being made :!:

is there a clause in degale's contract for a loss etc??

does frank see smith as domestic class & no greater??

are smith's cut's career damaging one's with severe scar tissue??

i'd like smith to win it's 50/50 i lean to degale personally & no way can he shine v smith. cant see smith sparking him & vice verser apart from cut's.
if smith load's up & cant fight on the inside, degale will win unan. time for smith to showcase his pedigree. he'll prove to himself & critics were he stand's level wise.

i aint writing him off. when he started off in the pro's many saw him as a world class prospect, just as they do degale so roll on judgement day