will the loss make or break Degale ?

[whiskey]

Absolutely boo'ed to the rafters on his way to the ring.

Boo'ed throughout the fight.

Lost.

Boo'ed back to the changing rooms (disagreed with that bit really = fight was over, you dont have to clap him, but boo'ing him out was a bit poor i thought. despite backing Groves.)

Now, this could usher in a new era, a new trainer and perhaps Warren will pull strings and get a WBO, WBA regular title shot. We've seen losers go on to eclipse the people that beat them (Khan vs Prescott).

The problem is that Degale has always been a cocky - "He's getting knocked out. Full stop. Trust me." kind of arrogant person in the media. That's how his image is received by fans - and his cold welcome reflected that.

A loss against his arch enemy on PPV will either spur him on or will crush his ego. He will unlikely be a draw in his own right, always requiring someone to tango against to sell tickets. But now his "o" has gone it could prove less of a draw to the masses.

[Cas]

The loss could have broke him but I'm not sure. No one knows the mentality of James, but we're going to fight out soon. Do I think he can come back stronger? Absolutely. A new trainer is a good start, and he needs to drop the 'im a bad guy' talk etc.

James has only himself to blame, damaging his image and credibility. There was no need to talk like he did, and he's certainly took a massive hit tonight.

Reality has now set in for James, he is not untouchable as he'd portray himself.

Not impressed the slightest by the display of James either, I'm starting to question how good the kid really is? He has the skills, but I'm not sure he carries the heart and mentality of the elite. He could be one of those guys that crumble at the top!

[Cotto16]

Who?

http://www.BS.com/forums/showt ... st10578803

[jessi]

make him !

[goldenears]

The loss could have broke him but I'm not sure. No one knows the mentality of James, but we're going to fight out soon. Do I think he can come back stronger? Absolutely. A new trainer is a good start, and he needs to drop the 'im a bad guy' talk etc.

James has only himself to blame, damaging his image and credibility. There was no need to talk like he did, and he's certainly took a massive hit tonight.

Reality has now set in for James, he is not untouchable as he'd portray himself.

Not impressed the slightest by the display of James either, I'm starting to question how good the kid really is? He has the skills, but I'm not sure he carries the heart and mentality of the elite. He could be one of those guys that crumble at the top!

I agree mostly. We haven't got a clue whether he's going to come back stronger like Khan or crumble like Prince Naz.

He's got buckets of ability, but tonight he seemed more afraid to lose than willing to win. To be fair, both fought like not losing/getting KO'd was the priority - and he got edged out, but knowing he's clearly the better fighter, he should have done more to get the Win instead of coasting.

He needs to get back in at the deep end for me and fight someone quality to prove that he's a serious fighter otherwise it could be a struggle for him. A rematch would be tasty

[whiskey]

Good comments.

I think even Warren's felt a bit embarrassed at times promoting him.

When the camera kept going to Degale's changing room and he's laying on the carpet in his white pants singing to himself like a tit.

Every single step of the way, from ringside to the fight - to post-fight, he has done everything wrong.

If you look closely, you see McDonnell flashing his mobile phone at Degale as if a mate had text him saying "Watt has Degale winning" and he starts celebrating. That sort of thing just reflects how shallow the whole outfit is at times.

I couldnt ever see Naz Richardson waving his mobile at B-Hop saying "Lederman has you up by a point !"

[Pat Butcher]

Good comments.

I think even Warren's felt a bit embarrassed at times promoting him.

When the camera kept going to Degale's changing room and he's laying on the carpet in his white pants singing to himself like a tit.

Every single step of the way, from ringside to the fight - to post-fight, he has done everything wrong.

If you look closely, you see McDonnell flashing his mobile phone at Degale as if a mate had text him saying "Watt has Degale winning" and he starts celebrating. That sort of thing just reflects how shallow the whole outfit is at times.

I couldnt ever see Naz Richardson waving his mobile at B-Hop saying "Lederman has you up by a point !"

Good eye for detail. I don't think it will break him, I think he'll come back and have a successful career. He acted like a tit which made his loss more enjoyable for a lot to watch. I don't know hime but just from watching him on TV I think he has the drive and belief to come back fom this defeat and still do well

[Syntax Error]

I think it will be the making of him.

James' ego is so large that it has its own postcode & he is not going to want his ego to take another bruising like the one it took last night.

James has shown enough in his short career to suggest that with the right preparation & focus, he can come back.

This loss should have taught him 2 things:-

1) Always prepare properly & diligently for EVERY fight.

2) If you're going to run off your mouth, see point 1 & you better make sure you damn well win convincingly.

[whiskey]

Yes but consider this -

Could it be that being honest, that's the best Degale you'll likely to see ?

That there is little room for improvement left. That he maybe the finished article ?

[earsjohn]

He'll come back. He is class and will make his way to the top. I hate this view that a defeat is the end of a career. It was a close loss to a competitive rival, both of whom are a little away from being finished products, understandably so given they had just 22 fights between them prior to last night.

How many good fighters recovered from an early defeat, learned from that defeat and went on to the highest level? Hundreds. My worry is that this defeat for DeGale will see Warren further protect his other unbeaten quarries in order to protect their 0's so it could be some time before we see Cleverly, Saunders and Gavin in with anyone possessing a pulse.

A close defeat for DeGale was always the best result for British boxing, as it'll give Groves the confidence and public backing that will see him move into world level over the next 2 years, during which time DeGale can work on his areas of weakness and move along at the same sort of level. If they can both come through the next 2 years or so unscathed, a rematch for a world title is not beyond the realms of possibility. I'd much rather see them work towards that than watch an immediate rematch which may seriously scupper the medium term careers of one of them.

[IRLangmaid25]

He is still only 25 and has had only 11 fights now so it is not as damaging in the long term as it may appear. allegedly's aim should get DeGale back in as soon as possile with a couple of 8 or 10 rounders to rebuild his confidence and try and get a rematch with Groves in my opinion, but whether or not or you like or dislike DeGale you have to applaud him for taking such a high risk fight so early in his career.

[Syntax Error]

He is still only 25 and has had only 11 fights now so it is not as damaging in the long term as it may appear. allegedly's aim should get DeGale back in as soon as possile with a couple of 8 or 10 rounders to rebuild his confidence and try and get a rematch with Groves in my opinion, but whether or not or you like or dislike DeGale you have to applaud him for taking such a high risk fight so early in his career.

You have to applaud both men for fighting each other right now, as it was a might that didn't necessarily have to be made yet.

[subsy]

Good comments.

If you look closely, you see McDonnell flashing his mobile phone at Degale as if a mate had text him saying "Watt has Degale winning" and he starts celebrating. That sort of thing just reflects how shallow the whole outfit is at times.

I couldnt ever see Naz Richardson waving his mobile at B-Hop saying "Lederman has you up by a point !"

The way he did it with the who "ssshhhhh" sign to his lips, it was almost as if he'd been text by someone looking over the judges shoulder!

Totally agree with the comments about lack of depth and substance of character in that camp. All mouth.

[maxwelljr927]

Break him!

[whiskey]

He is still only 25 and has had only 11 fights now so it is not as damaging in the long term as it may appear. allegedly's aim should get DeGale back in as soon as possile with a couple of 8 or 10 rounders to rebuild his confidence and try and get a rematch with Groves in my opinion, but whether or not or you like or dislike DeGale you have to applaud him for taking such a high risk fight so early in his career.

Groves was his challenger to the British title.

[NazNaci1]

I hope DeGale responds and reacts in a positive way.

Let them tred their own paths for now, and they will meet again, in a few years.

People seem to discount the fact that Groves is a few years younger than DeGale and say what you want, he outboxed the Olympic Gold medalist.

Groves will get alot better and those who think DeGale is more talented, I disagree. Groves will get stronger and faster.

[IRLangmaid25]

He is still only 25 and has had only 11 fights now so it is not as damaging in the long term as it may appear. allegedly's aim should get DeGale back in as soon as possile with a couple of 8 or 10 rounders to rebuild his confidence and try and get a rematch with Groves in my opinion, but whether or not or you like or dislike DeGale you have to applaud him for taking such a high risk fight so early in his career.

Groves was his challenger to the British title.

But also a Champion to holding the Commonwealth strap so DeGale was a challenger as well.

[Bricks]

The loss could have broke him but I'm not sure. No one knows the mentality of James, but we're going to fight out soon. Do I think he can come back stronger? Absolutely. A new trainer is a good start, and he needs to drop the 'im a bad guy' talk etc.

I agree mostly. We haven't got a clue whether he's going to come back stronger like Khan or crumble like Prince Naz.

He's got buckets of ability, but tonight he seemed more afraid to lose than willing to win. To be fair, both fought like not losing/getting KO'd was the priority - and he got edged out, but knowing he's clearly the better fighter, he should have done more to get the Win instead of coasting.

He needs to get back in at the deep end for me and fight someone quality to prove that he's a serious fighter otherwise it could be a struggle for him. A rematch would be tasty

how the hell is degale " clearly the better fighter".......based on what 2 losses to groves......those 2 wins dont make groves "clearly the better fighter", so how does the loser degale "know he's clearly the better fighter"..........you seem to be in denial and a blind fanboy of degale trying to put on a faux veneer of being neutral....

Degale isnt clearly better and neither is groves.

In the ring id say they are both more or less equal.
Out of the ring its different.

I think both will learn and move on to bigger and better things.

With froch, groves and degale i think finally finally we are going to see a revisitation of eubanks/benn/watson/collins and that whole era.......and we the fans will be the main beneficiaries.

Degale should be cut some slack now too. He should learn from this. Om confident he will learn and improve exponentially

[NazNaci1]

Degale is NOT 'clearly the better fighter'.

Groves is his equal, younger and will improve signifcantly, under Booth.

Degale will come again but ffs lose the pathetic attempts at trying to be Britain's answer to Mayweather.

Word of advice, be yourself and get ppl on your side.