James DeGale vs. Chris Eubank Jr. - 23 February 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

James DeGale says he’s “pretty sure” that Lee Selby and Joe Joyce will appear on the undercard of his fight with Chris Eubank Jr, February 23rd at the O2.

[oogiebe]

James DeGale says he’s “pretty sure” that Lee Selby and Joe Joyce will appear on the undercard of his fight with Chris Eubank Jr, February 23rd at the O2.

I hope Joyce steps up the competition. Any mention of potential opponents?

[Ruthless-RKO]

[SteveDow]

I don't really class the IBO as a genuine world title and I don't think it carries much, if any, weight in increasing a fighter's marketability and earning potential so I reckon the title is irrelevant.

I also don't class Eubank Jnr as especially talented. He's got great fitness and chin, throws a good uppercut and has fast hands but his boxing IQ is very basic as is his punch selection and he is fairly plodding. Unless DeGale is shot he wins this I think.

[tony1234]

Should have been on ITV not PPV as a big way to kick off their coverage, not that interesting fight for me to want to pay to see it

[Tugger28]

DeGales career is a car crash imo......if this does 50000 ppv buys i would be amazed. ITV must have guaranteed a flat fee

[Ruthless-RKO]

DeGales career is a car crash imo......if this does 50000 ppv buys i would be amazed. ITV must have guaranteed a flat fee

PBC pay their fighters well anyway. It’ll do more than 50k

[Jackson328]

Going for Degale on points, a level above Jr at least and if he has anything at all left it could be enough but wouldn't be shocked if Eubank overwhelmed him if he goes to the ropes all night

[Ruthless-RKO]

Getting more DeGale decisions now.

Can Eubank win on points? I’m guessing just based on his punch output per round.

[mfc_se15]

DeGales career is a car crash imo......if this does 50000 ppv buys i would be amazed. ITV must have guaranteed a flat fee

Do we have any indication of previous ppv numbers on ITV? I know sky don't release there's but we normally have a hint and rough idea of them. Can't remember reading any suggestions before.

[Ruthless-RKO]

DeGales career is a car crash imo......if this does 50000 ppv buys i would be amazed. ITV must have guaranteed a flat fee

Do we have any indication of previous ppv numbers on ITV? I know sky don't release there's but we normally have a hint and rough idea of them. Can't remember reading any suggestions before.

I think I heard Eubank-Quinlan did around 70k..

Their biggest success would easily be Groves-Eubank. that was PPV worthy.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Just watched the presser. DeGale was really itchy in there. Eubank just talking calm.

[jameswilson]

Just watched the presser. DeGale was really itchy in there. Eubank just talking calm.

Well blow me down!

Normally Eubank is such a ranter and raver!!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Just watched the presser. DeGale was really itchy in there. Eubank just talking calm.

Well blow me down!

Normally Eubank is such a ranter and raver!!!

He was so calm. DeGale looked like he sniffed a bit before the presser. Rubbing his eyes and everything.

[Ruthless-RKO]

James DeGale: ‘I’ve not got Anthony Joshua millions. But I’m milled up’

Former world champion James DeGale has to resist looking beyond Chris Eubank Jnr to a potential rematch with his old rival George Groves or even another another world title shot. He knows that defeat to Eubank at the O2 on February 23 would spell the end of his career.

“I would fight Callum Smith [the new WBA super-middleweight champion], 100 per cent, but I am not really thinking about him or George Groves, it is just about Eubank. This guy is dangerous. Technically he is not the best but he has heart,” Jame said.

“This year is going to be my year… I might have two more fights and knock it on the head. I might have three. I might have this one, win and go ‘f*** it’. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m financially nice; I’ve not got AJ millions but I’m milled up, I’m in a good position, I’ve got my family around me. I’m comfortable.

“I’ve got good parents and I’ve invested my money right. It’s a difficult one, what to do after boxing. But I’m going to f*** Eubank up first and then I’m probably going to beat Groves, then call it a day. That would be perfect. Or Eubank, then another shot at a world title, then knock it on the head.”

He insisted, “I’m not one of those fighters who doesn’t know when to stop. There are certain fighters who don’t know when to give up; I won’t be one of them. I’ve had a good go, even from an amateur, I’ve won Schoolboy, ABAs, Olympic gold medal, British, European, two-time world champion. I’ve done it all. Tell me another fighter who’s done that, there are only a couple.”

This sport however has consumed his whole life. His only other profession was a brief year as a plumber long ago. “Boxing is in me, it’s all I’ve known. I’ve only had one job. I know nothing else, I left school in year nine and this is how I’ve made my money; I love it,” DeGale said.

At this stage of his career however he promises he has no fear of Eubank Junior. “I got caught up the hype when his dad said he was a killer,” the former champion said. “This is a step down, of course. But I am getting paid extremely well and it is a fight that everybody wants to see.”

“I understand why people think I am on the decline, based on my last few performances, people are saying my speed, reflexes and movement have gone,” he continued. “He thinks I am on the decline and he expects to be losing after the first six rounds but then to stop me late on. He thinks I don’t live the life and don’t train very hard.”

But in contrast DeGale maintains that he is in fact refreshed, fit and ready. “He is too arrogant and ignorant to change or listen to anyone but himself. Have you seen him in the corner between rounds with his dad and his trainer Ronnie Davies? It’s pathetic, bizarre. A new coach will make no difference,” he said of Eubank.

“This fight is down to me, if I perform like I should perform then I win it convincingly. He probably will have some success because he’s tough, strong, and he’s game. But I’m too good for him.”

[TheGman]

Wont be buying this shite but i bet alot of "casuals" will and this is why shite like this stays on ppv

[Ruthless-RKO]

Wont be buying this shite but i bet alot of "casuals" will and this is why shite like this stays on ppv

Yeh, and most hardcore boxing fans will just find a stream.

[TheGman]

Wont be buying this shite but i bet alot of "casuals" will and this is why shite like this stays on ppv

Yeh, and most hardcore boxing fans will just find a stream.

Thank fck for the casuals lol

[Ruthless-RKO]

International Boxing Organization President Ed Levine was excited when giving his thoughts to World Boxing News.

“With two of the most recognizable fighters in the UK, it’s certainly an event we are happy to be associated with. Therefore, we know the winner will be a creditable IBO world champion,” Levine told WBN.

“Eubank and DeGale will enter the fight ranked 2nd and 6th respectively in the IBO’s rankings at 168 lb,” he added.

In a previous reign, Eubank made two IBO defenses of the same strap. They included a win over 168 lb former champion Arthur Abraham.

[punchers chance]

Sounds like DeGale has already retired mentally with his outlook there.

[bigjack]

The last thing DeGale needs right now is someone like Eubank who is going to keep going hard for 12 rounds,DeGale is the all round better fighter but he's done now and i can only see Eubank winning.

[ILikeBeer]

International Boxing Organization President Ed Levine was excited when giving his thoughts to World Boxing News.

“With two of the most recognizable fighters in the UK, it’s certainly an event we are happy to be associated with. Therefore, we know the winner will be a creditable IBO world champion,” Levine told WBN.

“Eubank and DeGale will enter the fight ranked 2nd and 6th respectively in the IBO’s rankings at 168 lb,” he added.

In a previous reign, Eubank made two IBO defenses of the same strap. They included a win over 168 lb former champion Arthur Abraham.

[leejonesjnr]

Eubank wins this on workrate
DeGale was prone to mid fight lazy spells even at his best and has been in some gruellers in recent times.

[WildWaylon]

A fight has to be really special these days for me to buy the PPV. This one has to be free for me to see it. Jnr on points or late stoppage.

[Deserter]

Eubank wins this on workrate
DeGale was prone to mid fight lazy spells even at his best and has been in some gruellers in recent times.

Yep, hard to argue with this - find it really difficult to envisage any other outcome.