What's next for DeGale?

[CheckHook]

Figured it would be worth seeing where DeGale stands in the aftermath of the weekend.... He fought Groves on pretty much even terms for 12 rounds in a fight that could've gone either way, and after the weekend Groves stock is through the roof. He's kind've been treading water since the Groves fight, but I'd like to see him try and get a shot at the Bika Dirrell winner to give himself some leverage for the Groves rematch and/ or Froch fight. People are ready to boycott Froch's next fight if its not against Groves, but don't seem too concerned about Chunky getting another crack at Groves.

[binipop]

Figured it would be worth seeing where DeGale stands in the aftermath of the weekend.... He fought Groves on pretty much even terms for 12 rounds in a fight that could've gone either way, and after the weekend Groves stock is through the roof. He's kind've been treading water since the Groves fight, but I'd like to see him try and get a shot at the Bika Dirrell winner to give himself some leverage for the Groves rematch and/ or Froch fight. People are ready to boycott Froch's next fight if its not against Groves, but don't seem too concerned about Chunky getting another crack at Groves.

Because George's win over Degale, whilst close and debatable, was fair. Nothing controversial about it. The premature stoppage on Saturday was very controversial and very unfair, especially in light of what had happened up until that point in the fight.

[CheckHook]

Figured it would be worth seeing where DeGale stands in the aftermath of the weekend.... He fought Groves on pretty much even terms for 12 rounds in a fight that could've gone either way, and after the weekend Groves stock is through the roof. He's kind've been treading water since the Groves fight, but I'd like to see him try and get a shot at the Bika Dirrell winner to give himself some leverage for the Groves rematch and/ or Froch fight. People are ready to boycott Froch's next fight if its not against Groves, but don't seem too concerned about Chunky getting another crack at Groves.

Because George's win over Degale, whilst close and debatable, was fair. Nothing controversial about it. The premature stoppage on Saturday was very controversial and very unfair, especially in light of what had happened up until that point in the fight.

You don't think Groves and DeGale have unfinished business then?

[binipop]

No i agree they do, but there was no need to for it to happen straight away. They had a beef, settled it, and they were right to move on and take separate roads to the top. George had nothing to prove in the aftermath. It was obvious, and still is in my view, that their paths would cross again when there is a lot more at stake in terms of titles and there's bigger money to be made.

James, to be fair, has to put in the kind of world class performance against a top opponent that George put in on Saturday and make people sit up and take notice. At this juncture most boxing fans believe George is now way ahead of James in terms of proven ability and bringing numbers to the table. A convincing and dominant win over Bika or Anthony Dirrell would go some way to redressing that.

[lillywhite14]

I don't think their unfinished business has ever been comprehensively settled.

DeGale beat him in their amateur fight for my money and Groves nicked the pro fight by the slightest margin you could ever imagine.

DeGale needs a win to make others stand up and take notice though. He keeps mentioning himself as being an opponent for either Froch or Groves but in reality I doubt either are looking at James right now.

[CheckHook]

James, to be fair, has to put in the kind of world class performance against a top opponent that George put in on Saturday and make people sit up and take notice. At this juncture most boxing fans believe George is now way ahead of James in terms of proven ability and bringing numbers to the table. A convincing and dominant win over Bika or Anthony Dirrell would go some way to redressing that.

I agree with that, which is why I started the thread, he needs to find a route to get himself in the mix against the top guys. Eliminator with Periban and onto the winner of Bika Dirrell seems like the fastest and most likely route. It just seems like it might be a long road to the top now and I can't imagine any of the top guys fancying it with more $ on the table from other options. Groves wont fancy the rematch now he has opened himself up to a wider audience, Froch wont fancy risking his belts against another unproven underdog and the rest of the world still don't really know who DeGale is...

[thatllbeme]

I don't like the immediate rematches but in this case it needs to happen cos froch doesn't have many fights left so if it doesn't happen soon it never will!

[Jack B]

DeGale hasn't helped himself with his business decisions. He left FW after he'd done a good job with him. He then turned down Matchroom to fight for Hennessy - a massive mistake. Had he joined Eddie, that could have been him in there on Saturday night.

I don't see where he can go in the UK if he stays with Mick. Channel 5 haven't got the budget for anything bigger than journeyman/gatekeeper level opponents. If he wants to progress down the WBC route he's going to have to travel to the US and do it the hard way.

[Finn]

He needs to go to matchroom in my opinion or back to warren if he'll have him. Mick cant get him the fights you could see that ringside after degales last fight when he said he wanted a title fight to him.

[wrimc]

Needs the breakout fight as many have suggested. I think his best hope is to go over to America and fight a Bika/Dirrell possibly on the undercard of a big PPV on short money enter as an underdog and cause a bit of a shock to make people realise he is still there.

Once he has put his name on the map he can get in the mix for some big fights. But he needs to get in that mix and fast. Froch does not have much time left and will most likely rematch Groves. If Groves wins he will be flying and probably will look beyond Degale unless he has something to offer.

[Andrew]

If I'm not mistaken think the WBC mentioned him in v Periban in an eliminaotr and the winner to face Chavez Jr for mandatory position (bit of a joke)

But still would love Degale to do a job on Chavez not seen the Vera fight yet to assess but from what I've heard JCC jr needs to be KO'd to gurantee the win.

[SamWise72]

I'm a much bigger DeGale fan than Groves, but he's done little to prove himself. He just doesn't seem to want to win big; he gets the job done over everyone he fights, but either he would rather coast than turn it on, or he can't turn it on. Bika or Dirrell would force him to dig deep to win, and we'd learn a lot from that. I think he believed he was winning against Groves, and did his usual thing of not really striking out for home.

[Eddy]

Top the bill at the bright lights of Lakeside shopping centre?

[keithmoonhangover]

I think he needs a name on his record. A bit like when Groves fought Glenn Johnson.

[lefty]

If I'm not mistaken think the WBC mentioned him in v Periban in an eliminaotr and the winner to face Chavez Jr for mandatory position (bit of a joke)

But still would love Degale to do a job on Chavez not seen the Vera fight yet to assess but from what I've heard JCC jr needs to be KO'd to gurantee the win.

He wouldnt have a hope in hell of knocking out Chavez! Lol. As limited as he is, he's a tough sod.

[Syntax Error]

Figured it would be worth seeing where DeGale stands in the aftermath of the weekend.... He fought Groves on pretty much even terms for 12 rounds in a fight that could've gone either way, and after the weekend Groves stock is through the roof. He's kind've been treading water since the Groves fight, but I'd like to see him try and get a shot at the Bika Dirrell winner to give himself some leverage for the Groves rematch and/ or Froch fight. People are ready to boycott Froch's next fight if its not against Groves, but don't seem too concerned about Chunky getting another crack at Groves.

Because George's win over Degale, whilst close and debatable, was fair. Nothing controversial about it. The premature stoppage on Saturday was very controversial and very unfair, especially in light of what had happened up until that point in the fight.

You don't think Groves and DeGale have unfinished business then?

They do have unfinished business of sorts, but I don't believe that the world is clamouring for a Groves -v- Degale rematch.

Their first fight was a good while ago now & Groves has improved tremendously, whereas Degale has stagnated.

Yes, Degale is close to a shot at one of the 'world' trinkets, but he hasn't really pulled up any trees in the last couple of years & he doesn't fight in a way that makes fans yearn to watch him.

Right now, Groves has bigger fish to fry IMO.

[gobbles]

Their first fight was a good while ago now & Groves has improved tremendously, whereas Degale has stagnated.

Yes, Degale is close to a shot at one of the 'world' trinkets, but he hasn't really pulled up any trees in the last couple of years & he doesn't fight in a way that makes fans yearn to watch him.

Right now, Groves has bigger fish to fry IMO.

Before Saturday, did anyone believe that Groves had "improved tremendously"?
Apart from a retired Glen Johnson, who had he beaten exactly?

[jameswilson]

Their first fight was a good while ago now & Groves has improved tremendously, whereas Degale has stagnated.

Yes, Degale is close to a shot at one of the 'world' trinkets, but he hasn't really pulled up any trees in the last couple of years & he doesn't fight in a way that makes fans yearn to watch him.

Right now, Groves has bigger fish to fry IMO.

Before Saturday, did anyone believe that Groves had "improved tremendously"?
Apart from a retired Glen Johnson, who had he beaten exactly?

I thought he had improved far more than DeGale.

DeGale needs to push for this mandatory position and take the fight against Periban.

[Evander]

JDG is getting pissed off with waiting, but his boxing style is maturing excessively at an alarming rate.
He looks so much more experienced.

[Finn]

JDG is getting pissed off with waiting, but his boxing style is maturing excessively at an alarming rate.
He looks so much more experienced.

He looked world class for 6 rounds the other night, my concern is his engine he tends to coast after 6 rounds. He also still looks a bit fleshy for someone who is taking the dieting and training seriously.

I think he's a real talent but does he want it bad enough.

[palooka]

JDG is getting pissed off with waiting, but his boxing style is maturing excessively at an alarming rate.
He looks so much more experienced.

He looked world class for 6 rounds the other night, my concern is his engine he tends to coast after 6 rounds. He also still looks a bit fleshy for someone who is taking the dieting and training seriously.

I think he's a real talent but does he want it bad enough.

He must eat like a horse; I thought his trainer really loved to train him hard.

[JimJim2009]

Top the bill at the bright lights of Lakeside shopping centre?

No, I think he's now ready to pack out Dewsbury town hall, like Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks used to do, back in the day.

[lefty]

JDG is getting pissed off with waiting, but his boxing style is maturing excessively at an alarming rate.
He looks so much more experienced.

He looked world class for 6 rounds the other night, my concern is his engine he tends to coast after 6 rounds. He also still looks a bit fleshy for someone who is taking the dieting and training seriously.

I think he's a real talent but does he want it bad enough.

If you saw his interview with Ifilm on the day of his weigh in with Davis you would of seen that he was going for Nando's with Kugan. Not exactly the fuel of an elite athlete. Especially the day before a fight.

[palooka]

Top the bill at the bright lights of Lakeside shopping centre?

No, I think he's now ready to pack out Dewsbury town hall, like Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks used to do, back in the day.

Catweazle used to live in the next village to me (I do charge for autographs).

[Eddy]

Nando's is okay to eat as long as you leave the chips. Its's healthy