James DeGale vs Hadillah Mohoumadi - EBU title

[turbostar]

Shit opponent to give DeGale an easy start on Channel 5.

http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_ ... &cat=boxer

He lost to Sanavia two years ago, who DeGale bashed up very easily in 4 rounds back in April.

[Bronxbull666]

It's the Hennessy way these days. Absolute waste of time. DeGale should be fighting genuine contenders. Any hope of a Groves fight will have disappeared by the new year. One way ticket to obscurity. Viewing figures might be good, but even my wife would recognise a mis-match. Hasn't anybody learned from the Audley Harrison BBC stint? Laughable really. Galahad and Eubank Jr are the only guys in the stable that are getting any sort of boxing fan recognition.

[jameswilson]

It's the Hennessy way these days. Absolute waste of time. DeGale should be fighting genuine contenders. Any hope of a Groves fight will have disappeared by the new year. One way ticket to obscurity. Viewing figures might be good, but even my wife would recognise a mis-match. Hasn't anybody learned from the Audley Harrison BBC stint? Laughable really. Galahad and Eubank Jr are the only guys in the stable that are getting any sort of boxing fan recognition.

Were you expecting him to be up against Arthur Abraham at short notice?

[Coco]

He lost his last fight too, does that mean he is still eligible?

[whiskey]

I've heard of most 168lb fighters but have never heard of this guy.

Naturally C5 want someone to look stellar against, but I can't say I'm excited one bit for this opponent.

Perhaps it's an EBU situation and they just have to knock him out and move on. Still, glad to see him back on these shores and on TV.

[jameswilson]

I've heard of most 168lb fighters but have never heard of this guy.

Naturally C5 want someone to look stellar against, but I can't say I'm excited one bit for this opponent.

Perhaps it's an EBU situation and they just have to knock him out and move on. Still, glad to see him back on these shores and on TV.

He only signed what? Last week? I know they will have known before that, but at a matter of weeks notice it was never going to be a top 10 Super middleweight. Get back in, defend the title. Onwards and upwards.

[Bronxbull666]

It's the Hennessy way these days. Absolute waste of time. DeGale should be fighting genuine contenders. Any hope of a Groves fight will have disappeared by the new year. One way ticket to obscurity. Viewing figures might be good, but even my wife would recognise a mis-match. Hasn't anybody learned from the Audley Harrison BBC stint? Laughable really. Galahad and Eubank Jr are the only guys in the stable that are getting any sort of boxing fan recognition.

Were you expecting him to be up against Arthur Abraham at short notice?

Balzsay, Ndiaye, the Pole that he struggled against, Vlasov?

Or a Bika type opponent!

[whiskey]

He only signed what? Last week? I know they will have known before that, but at a matter of weeks notice it was never going to be a top 10 Super middleweight. Get back in, defend the title. Onwards and upwards.

I'm glad he's back and appreciate the circumstances. Just would have been nice to actually see an opponent that was 'known' - whether that be a middleweight stepping up or whatever and not someone who lost to Sanavia, who Degale absolutely demolished.

I'd bet there are a lot of people who'd have jumped for a triple whammy of a payday, a shot and Degale and terrestrial exposure - who'd normally never dream of the opportunity. Kerry Hope or someone in that vein would have been perfect to jump up for a fight.

It's just a wonderful time to put a Brit in there and maximise the interest in the bout. Degale has trained constantly and nobody from 160lb would present a risk - but it would provide a 'fight' with domestic interest.

Sounds like I'm knocking it and I'm genuinely not. It's a really good signing for Mick and I'm sure better fights will come in time.

[BoxingDaz]

not the best opponent but lets give him a chance only had 2 fights in a year plus the opponent is no worse than cleverly's or froch's.

really think it is a great signing for hennessey and channel 5.

[ShadrachSimmo]

It's the Hennessy way these days. Absolute waste of time. DeGale should be fighting genuine contenders. Any hope of a Groves fight will have disappeared by the new year. One way ticket to obscurity. Viewing figures might be good, but even my wife would recognise a mis-match. Hasn't anybody learned from the Audley Harrison BBC stint? Laughable really. Galahad and Eubank Jr are the only guys in the stable that are getting any sort of boxing fan recognition.

Were you expecting him to be up against Arthur Abraham at short notice?

Balzsay, Ndiaye, the Pole that he struggled against, Vlasov?

Or a Bika type opponent!

Good shouts. Would like to see him in with Ndiaye I'm surprised he's not the mandatory.

[chad]

He lost his last fight too, does that mean he is still eligible?

DeGale lost to Groves prior to facing Piotr Wilczewski for the title. I think the EBU clarified that DeGale could compete for the title as he didn't get beaten comprehensively by Groves i.e. knockout or wide points defeat. Mohoumadi lost his last contest narrowly on points so should be eligible under EBU rules.

[Final round]

It's a bit of a step back after Groves, Wilcezki and Sanavia but ok as DeGale has hardly fought this year.

HS Promotions need to make competitive fights to attract people to 'Channel 5' as I would barely know the channel exists if I wasn't given the heads up on here when the boxing is on.

[earsjohn]

Have some bloody perspective people. It's his 14th fight.

In their equivalent fights:

Carl Froch KO1 Damon Hague (23-3-1)
Joe Calzaghe TKO8 Stephen Wilson (11-1-0)
Nigel Benn TKO2 Byron Prince (5-0-0)
Chris Eubank PTS 10 Randy Smith (20-16-0)
Michael Watson TKO 4 Franky Moro (11-18-0)

If anyone can provide a convincing argument as to why any of their 14th opponents are better than DeGales proposed choice, then I'll gladly hear it, but I won't hold my breath.

[wrimc]

I think Mick Hennessey gets far too much stick here he is getting the lad on terrestrial TV and is looking to keep him active after a big spell of inactivity. Opponent might be a knockover job but will make him look good and give him the opporunity to be out again in Sept. Star of 2013 he can look at the big matches. Yes Hennessey has thrown in a couple of easy touches for Fury and but people swiftyl forget he also got him Chisora.

[damianhucker1]

Well myself i think Hennesy matches reasonably tough compared with some of the other promoters , as someone else said hes not long signed with them , give them a chance , im sure we will see him in more competitive bouts fairly soon .

[JamesH]

Have some bloody perspective people. It's his 14th fight.

In their equivalent fights:

Carl Froch KO1 Damon Hague (23-3-1)
Joe Calzaghe TKO8 Stephen Wilson (11-1-0)
Nigel Benn TKO2 Byron Prince (5-0-0)
Chris Eubank PTS 10 Randy Smith (20-16-0)
Michael Watson TKO 4 Franky Moro (11-18-0)

If anyone can provide a convincing argument as to why any of their 14th opponents are better than DeGales proposed choice, then I'll gladly hear it, but I won't hold my breath.

De Gale gets an unfair ride on here, as does Hennessy.

[clintonmcphilbin]

Have some bloody perspective people. It's his 14th fight.

In their equivalent fights:

Carl Froch KO1 Damon Hague (23-3-1)
Joe Calzaghe TKO8 Stephen Wilson (11-1-0)
Nigel Benn TKO2 Byron Prince (5-0-0)
Chris Eubank PTS 10 Randy Smith (20-16-0)
Michael Watson TKO 4 Franky Moro (11-18-0)

If anyone can provide a convincing argument as to why any of their 14th opponents are better than DeGales proposed choice, then I'll gladly hear it, but I won't hold my breath.

I think its more the fact that Degale is euro champion and fighting someone thats not in the top 10 that people have issue with but i have heard of worst world title fights then this one really.

[Andrew]

Sure I read Degale would fight in December as well which is good . He has not been active as he should have and I still think he can be World Champion by the end of 2013. Mick has to deliver for him same with Fury and Galahad who at the end of 2013 should have stepped up considerably.

[fizzjambo]

1 - DeGale last fought in April, given the general work rate of many pro's this doesn't really make for a sustained period of inactivity

2 - It's the headline fight, as far as I'm aware, for that the opponent is not good enough.

3 - DeGale is, unlike other fighters mentioned, an Olympic Gold Medalist and former British champion whose only defeat was a razor thin split to a world ranked (to be fair this could mean anything but you get the point!) fighter.

4 - The lad is not a step up from the last guy James fought, who he destroyed.

5 - The kid ain't ranked top ten in Europe. European champion's should not be defending against this level/experience of opposition.

6 - Makes no odds what TV this fight has, it's a about making decent fights which this ain't.

Not having a go at JD or MH, good move for both I reckon in the medium/long term. Doesn't make the opposition acceptable however........

[BoxingDaz]

1 - DeGale last fought in April, given the general work rate of many pro's this doesn't really make for a sustained period of inactivity

2 - It's the headline fight, as far as I'm aware, for that the opponent is not good enough.

3 - DeGale is, unlike other fighters mentioned, an Olympic Gold Medalist and former British champion whose only defeat was a razor thin split to a world ranked (to be fair this could mean anything but you get the point!) fighter.

4 - The lad is not a step up from the last guy James fought, who he destroyed.

5 - The kid ain't ranked top ten in Europe. European champion's should not be defending against this level/experience of opposition.

6 - Makes no odds what TV this fight has, it's a about making decent fights which this ain't.

Not having a go at JD or MH, good move for both I reckon in the medium/long term. Doesn't make the opposition acceptable however........

agree with you but Mohoumadi is in the same league as cleverlys and frochs next opponent so i really think for this one we need to give hennessey and degale a break and enjoy boxing back on terrestrial tv.

[jameswilson]

Were you expecting him to be up against Arthur Abraham at short notice?

Balzsay, Ndiaye, the Pole that he struggled against, Vlasov?

Or a Bika type opponent!

Good shouts. Would like to see him in with Ndiaye I'm surprised he's not the mandatory.

If you guys reckon you could get Balszay or Bika to fight in the UK on a few weeks notice then you should go into promoting yourselves. You'd probably be the best in the World if you could manage that.

[Bronxbull666]

Galahad and Eubank Jr are the only guys in the stable that are getting any sort of boxing fan recognition.

What does "boxing fan recognition" mean in the context of your post?

In terms of favourable notice. They are fighting at a good level for where they are career wise.

[Bronxbull666]

jameswilson: It's the same notice DeGale has had and all those I named are due a bout, so they are likely to be to ticking over in the gym.

[Bronxbull666]

Have some bloody perspective people. It's his 14th fight.

In their equivalent fights:

Carl Froch KO1 Damon Hague (23-3-1)
Joe Calzaghe TKO8 Stephen Wilson (11-1-0)
Nigel Benn TKO2 Byron Prince (5-0-0)
Chris Eubank PTS 10 Randy Smith (20-16-0)
Michael Watson TKO 4 Franky Moro (11-18-0)

If anyone can provide a convincing argument as to why any of their 14th opponents are better than DeGales proposed choice, then I'll gladly hear it, but I won't hold my breath.

How many of those contests were live on national television?

I'd guess at zero.

[MightyWarrior]

Seems an underwhelming choice of opponent for a talent like DeGale - it will no doubt leave viewers thinking that was way too easy....Mick is lucky he has a fighter who doesn't need much protecting at all.