DeGale: Badou Jack is Not in My Class at All - I Want Rematch!

[Ruthless-RKO]

BF super middleweight champion James DeGale (23-1-1, 14 KOs) is still itching for a rematch with Badou Jack (22-1-2, 13 KOs).

After that match, Jack vacated his title and moved up to the light heavyweight limit of 175-pounds.

He made his debut at the new weight in September, by stopped Nathan Cleverly for the vacant WBA title - which Jack has since vacated to pursue other opportunities in the division.

DeGale suffered several injuries in the contest with Jack, and says there were several pre-fight injuries that affected him in the contest.

He feel frustrated, because he claims to have been far below 100%, physically, when he fought Jack.

"Badou Jack, that’s the fight that I really want because I don’t think Badou Jack is in my class at all. I know he’s a good world class fighter, but I just think styles make fights, and I don’t think on my game when I’m fully fit, I don’t think he beats me. It’s frustrating that I made him look so good, I made him look like a world beater. It was a bit of a controversial end to the fight but a lot of people thought I won and a lot thought he won. So, I see no reason why we shouldn’t get in the ring again," DeGale told On The Ropes Boxing Radio.

And DeGale is willing to do the rematch at 175, because Jack is no longer capable of making the super middleweight limit. But also admits that he's got numerous opportunities to explore on home soil in the UK.

"If that fight happens, I’d probably have to go up in weight because I think he struggles to make 168lbs and I don’t think he’s coming back down, so I’d have to come up. There’s a lot of fights out there for me, obviously Great Britain has a lot of domestic fight, big fights, huge fights. There’s George Groves, Eubank Jr, Callum Smith," DeGale said.

[Stuarty]

Unification with Ramirez would be good. Enjoyed the Jack fight though so wouldn't mind seeing it again.

[olij999]

I applaud his desire for a rematch. It's daft to say someone is not in your class after a 12-round draw, and Degale seems too bright not to know that, so can only assume it's an attempt to provoke Jack into signing up.

[Deserter]

Hate to say it, as I like DeGale, but if he went up to face Jack I think he'd get stopped this time around. By contrast I'd take him over Eubanks Jr and Callum Smith. Groves would be just as cagey an affair as the first one though IMO, a real pick 'em.

[gilgamesh]

Degale is the #1 guy at Super Middleweight only because he hasn't fought a lot of guys who are above his class. There's at least 3 guys at 168 that I'd pick to beat him, and if he moves up to 175 to rematch Jack, I'd pick Jack to beat him too.

A lot of people thought Jack won the 1st fight. There'd be no doubt this time.

[littlepug]

I'm not even sure we have seen what Degale is really capable of, it always seems like he has another gear but doesn't use it, or maybe he hasn't but needs one ?

[rd350lc]

I'm not even sure we have seen what Degale is really capable of, it always seems like he has another gear but doesn't use it, or maybe he hasn't but needs one ?

I think it's the later .

Very skillful fighter , but seems to take rounds off during fights which seems to suggest stamina issues which is very surprising knowing the McDonnell way of training .

[Ossyrules]

You could vote for any but move to 175 in the poll. He doesn’t struggle to make 168 I gather and there’s still challenges there.

Boxings a funny old game, first Badou Jack isn’t rated at all, then it almost begins to go the other way and he’s rated like mad! He is good and I thought he looked the stronger guy at the end of the degale fight, degale alleges he’s been fighting with an injury, so we’ll see if his level picks up following surgery. If he met jack at 175 the advantage tips to jack who looks naturally bigger, but I doubt we’d see jack outclass chunky enough to stop him.

168 could become pretty good division if the wbss produces good fights. If groves comes out that tournament still a champion he’d inherit the number 1 status at 168 imo. Wbss really is the place to be chunk is missing out on that as it’s making some good fights.

[mikiesb]

Degale will lose in the rematch. Lucky to get a draw last time. Badou jack Vs Adonis Stephenson would be a good fight. I see eubank junior winning the tournament not been in too many wars and seems to be peaking at the right time. EU jnr Vs degale ...

[wesshaw1985]

I reckon DeGale will be fighting Fielding in December.
DeGale is IBF Champ and has said he wants to return in December. Fielding is no.5 with the IBF and has said he will be fighting in December.
Haye vs. Bellew, London vs. Liverpool.
DeGale vs. Fielding, London vs. Liverpool.
O'HaHa vs. Davies Jr, London vs. Liverpool.

[ElJefe]

You could vote for any but move to 175 in the poll. He doesn’t struggle to make 168 I gather and there’s still challenges there.

This. Options 1, 2 and 4 are all applicable.

[black panther]

Degale is a real enigma. At times looks absolute class then goes to sleep for multiple rounds and barely throws a punch. For me he could have stopped Direll had he put his foot on the gas but he just started coasting and almost blew the fight by letting Durrell outwork him. You wonder what goes through his mind.

He has often complained about injuries too to his knee and shoulder & has stated that’s hampered him in fights. Who knows but when he’s “on” there’s no denying he looks like he could beat almost anyone.

[fightfan95]

I don't think I want a rematch to happen more than Groves v DeGale!!

[TheGingerBomber]

I reckon DeGale will be fighting Fielding in December.
DeGale is IBF Champ and has said he wants to return in December. Fielding is no.5 with the IBF and has said he will be fighting in December.
Haye vs. Bellew, London vs. Liverpool.
DeGale vs. Fielding, London vs. Liverpool.
O'HaHa vs. Davies Jr, London vs. Liverpool.

I didn't know Eddie had an account...nah but when you put it like this, I'd buy it.

[TheGingerBomber]

Degale should never go to 175, he's probably only got a few fights left in him considering how much he's struggled in his career. Ramirez has to be the target.

[Alba]

He's an arrogant arsehole.

[wesshaw1985]

He's an arrogant arsehole.

That's a given.
Jim McDonnell is equally as much of a prick...

[Stuarty]

Degale is the #1 guy at Super Middleweight only because he hasn't fought a lot of guys who are above his class. There's at least 3 guys at 168 that I'd pick to beat him, and if he moves up to 175 to rematch Jack, I'd pick Jack to beat him too.

A lot of people thought Jack won the 1st fight. There'd be no doubt this time.

Who at 168 would you pick to beat him mate? I think it would be bad move fighting Jack at 175.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Degale is the #1 guy at Super Middleweight only because he hasn't fought a lot of guys who are above his class. There's at least 3 guys at 168 that I'd pick to beat him, and if he moves up to 175 to rematch Jack, I'd pick Jack to beat him too.

A lot of people thought Jack won the 1st fight. There'd be no doubt this time.

Who at 168 would you pick to beat him mate? I think it would be bad move fighting Jack at 175.

Yeh, he was kept saying he wanted the rematch, but we know Jack will never go back down to 168.. So DeGale would need to move up. Bad move IMO..

I think Zurdo's workrate would be too much for him, would win a 117-111 type fight.. Maybe even drop DeGale late.

[Stuarty]

Degale is the #1 guy at Super Middleweight only because he hasn't fought a lot of guys who are above his class. There's at least 3 guys at 168 that I'd pick to beat him, and if he moves up to 175 to rematch Jack, I'd pick Jack to beat him too.

A lot of people thought Jack won the 1st fight. There'd be no doubt this time.

Who at 168 would you pick to beat him mate? I think it would be bad move fighting Jack at 175.

Yeh, he was kept saying he wanted the rematch, but we know Jack will never go back down to 168.. So DeGale would need to move up. Bad move IMO..

I think Zurdo's workrate would be too much for him, would win a 117-111 type fight.. Maybe even drop DeGale late.

I've not been overly impressed with Ramirez so far to be honest. His work rate would no doubt trouble DeGale though. Because of DeGales style he'll more than likely start to slow before too long as well.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Who at 168 would you pick to beat him mate? I think it would be bad move fighting Jack at 175.

Yeh, he was kept saying he wanted the rematch, but we know Jack will never go back down to 168.. So DeGale would need to move up. Bad move IMO..

I think Zurdo's workrate would be too much for him, would win a 117-111 type fight.. Maybe even drop DeGale late.

I've not been overly impressed with Ramirez so far to be honest. His work rate would no doubt trouble DeGale though. Because of DeGales style he'll more than likely start to slow before too long as well.

Honestly, Zurdo hasn't impressed me.. His last fight with Hart though, He got me a little bit.. He's still very young IMO, he can only get better.. No doubt he hasn't reached his peak yet.

[Stuarty]

Yeh, he was kept saying he wanted the rematch, but we know Jack will never go back down to 168.. So DeGale would need to move up. Bad move IMO..

I think Zurdo's workrate would be too much for him, would win a 117-111 type fight.. Maybe even drop DeGale late.

I've not been overly impressed with Ramirez so far to be honest. His work rate would no doubt trouble DeGale though. Because of DeGales style he'll more than likely start to slow before too long as well.

Honestly, Zurdo hasn't impressed me.. His last fight with Hart though, He got me a little bit.. He's still very young IMO, he can only get better.. No doubt he hasn't reached his peak yet.

Definitely mate. Would probably be a case of DeGale winning the early rounds and Ramirez coming on strong late like most DeGale fights lol.

[MarkMcBurney]

Funny how there's always injuries before fights with Degale...

He lost the Jack fight IMO and he seems to have an overinflated opinion of himself. He HAS to fight the WBSS winner IMO, but they probably beat him now.

[gilgamesh]

Degale is the #1 guy at Super Middleweight only because he hasn't fought a lot of guys who are above his class. There's at least 3 guys at 168 that I'd pick to beat him, and if he moves up to 175 to rematch Jack, I'd pick Jack to beat him too.

A lot of people thought Jack won the 1st fight. There'd be no doubt this time.

Who at 168 would you pick to beat him mate? I think it would be bad move fighting Jack at 175.

Zurdo Ramirez, George Groves, Chris Eubank Jr, David Benavidez

Degale's never been overly impressive to me. He's a good fighter for 7 rounds, but he slows down over the final stanza of the fight every time, and I'm sure there are guys in the division that could take advantage of that.

[Stuarty]

Degale is the #1 guy at Super Middleweight only because he hasn't fought a lot of guys who are above his class. There's at least 3 guys at 168 that I'd pick to beat him, and if he moves up to 175 to rematch Jack, I'd pick Jack to beat him too.

A lot of people thought Jack won the 1st fight. There'd be no doubt this time.

Who at 168 would you pick to beat him mate? I think it would be bad move fighting Jack at 175.

Zurdo Ramirez, George Groves, Chris Eubank Jr, David Benavidez

Degale's never been overly impressive to me. He's a good fighter for 7 rounds, but he slows down over the final stanza of the fight every time, and I'm sure there are guys in the division that could take advantage of that.

He does slow down bro but I think he beats all of them tbh.