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

[Eolaithe]

Why is it that James DeGale, who happens to be an Olympic gold medallist, a former two-time world champion, having faced six world champions (such as the likes of George Groves, Andre Dirrell, Lucian Bute & Badou Jack) and also engaged in six world title fights, isn’t rated by any of the sport’s governing bodies at 168lbs, but yet there are loads of other fighters who are far less qualified than him being listed in their world rankings?

[Cyclops]

I like Degale and it would be a terrible shame if somebody as sh*t as Eubank Jnr catches him shot to hell and beats him. Hopefully there was something dreadfully wrong with Degale for his Truax fights that has now been corrected.

[lazboy]

I like Degale and it would be a terrible shame if somebody as sh*t as Eubank Jnr catches him shot to hell and beats him. Hopefully there was something dreadfully wrong with Degale for his Truax fights that has now been corrected.

Same feeling. Cannot stand Eubank!

[KiwiRider]

Why is it that James DeGale, who happens to be an Olympic gold medallist, a former two-time world champion, having faced six world champions (such as the likes of George Groves, Andre Dirrell, Lucian Bute & Badou Jack) and also engaged in six world title fights, isn’t rated by any of the sport’s governing bodies at 168lbs, but yet there are loads of other fighters who are far less qualified than him being listed in their world rankings?

He binned his belt, and hasn't really been that active other than losing the belt to Truax and winning it back. I guess if he paid the fees to the various ABC's, he would come in top 5 in all of them.

[Counter-puncher]

I like Degale and it would be a terrible shame if somebody as sh*t as Eubank Jnr catches him shot to hell and beats him. Hopefully there was something dreadfully wrong with Degale for his Truax fights that has now been corrected.

Same feeling. Cannot stand Eubank!

[jujigatame]

DeGale hasn't looked good in a while and I suspect Eubank will beat him badly.

With Zurdo clearing out I think Smith/Eubank is probably the biggest and best fight that can be made in the division.

[Eolaithe]

With Zurdo clearing out I think Smith/Eubank is probably the biggest and best fight that can be made in the division.

It's a tricky fight to make - ITV/PBC versus Sky/DAZN.

Instead, I reckon we’ll see a mini-PBC tournament:

1) The winner of Quillin-Truax will challenge for Caleb Plant's IBF strap
2) The winner of Dirrell-Yildirim will face the winner of DeGale-Eubank Jr. for the WBC strap
3) IBF-WBC title unification fight
3) David Benavidez will get involved in the mix at some point

[Ruthless-RKO]

[jamamb]

as ive said before

long head vs wide head

whose head will prevail

[Evander]

DeGale was all over the place, he had two knockdowns scored against him, his balance positioning and overall general boxing appearance was shabby to say the least.
Eubank flushed him more than a few times with big shots and visibly troubled Degale with flurries out of the blue, Eubank's jab was ok and scored but it wasn't the determining factor in the fight.
How many times did Jim McDonnell say to DeGale to calm down in the corner ... I lost count, it was clear by Thursday's press conference all was not well judging by appearances and today wasn't any different.
Fight itself on quality was below average, hard to single out many strong points from either of them but Eubank moves on and DeGale has decisions to make.

[jujigatame]

I feel like once upon a time DeGale was a really good mobile boxer/puncher with a good workrate, and now he's just a low-output spaz who lunges in with 1 punch and then immediately turns to grappling. I have zero interest in watching him in another high profile fight.

[Eolaithe]

As per my prediction from a couple of days ago, I reckon we’ll see a mini-PBC tournament:

1) The winner of Quillin-Truax will challenge for Caleb Plant's IBF strap
2) Anthony Dirrell will likely face Chris Eubank Jr. for the WBC strap (assuming the American isn’t forced to engage in a rematch with Yildirim)
3) IBF-WBC title unification fight
4) David Benavidez will get involved in the mix at some point, likely facing Dirrell or Eubank Jr. for the WBC title

[Evander]

David Benavidez is a very good boxer ^
He's on the Spence v Garcia undercard against J'Leon Love.

[Thomastearns]

DeGale was all over the place, he had two knockdowns scored against him, his balance positioning and overall general boxing appearance was shabby to say the least.
Eubank flushed him more than a few times with big shots and visibly troubled Degale with flurries out of the blue, Eubank's jab was ok and scored but it wasn't the determining factor in the fight.
How many times did Jim McDonnell say to DeGale to calm down in the corner ... I lost count, it was clear by Thursday's press conference all was not well judging by appearances and today wasn't any different.
Fight itself on quality was below average, hard to single out many strong points from either of them but Eubank moves on and DeGale has decisions to make.

I think DeGale knows his time is up.

I wanted the fight stopped well before the end, just couldn't bear DeGale ending up like some previous opponents of both the Eubanks. They sometimes seem to get into incredibly punishing fights, going deep into dangerous fatigue territory.

So watching James DeGale interviewed at the end was a relief. A tremendous achievement to finish on his feet, and a fitting way to end an amazing career.

As for Eubank, it was a career best win. Great heart as usual, but great patience as well! Still has a lot of work to do, with more finesse required, but this is the way to go in future.

As Sr says, no one can stand with Jr, but hopefully last night demonstrated the importance of strategy to both men.

[Onetimeonly]

As per my prediction from a couple of days ago, I reckon we’ll see a mini-PBC tournament:

1) The winner of Quillin-Truax will challenge for Caleb Plant's IBF strap
2) Anthony Dirrell will likely face Chris Eubank Jr. for the WBC strap (assuming the American isn’t forced to engage in a rematch with Yildirim)
3) IBF-WBC title unification fight
4) David Benavidez will get involved in the mix at some point, likely facing Dirrell or Eubank Jr. for the WBC title

If it isn't pbc, it isn't boxing. Maybe you should coin it the enlightened verlichte super Fergus tournament.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Eolaithe]

James DeGale has today officially announced his retirement. He did well and will be remembered as one of the top-ten all-time-great British super-middleweights (possibly as high as sixth or seventh, but definitely behind the likes of: Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank Sr., Steve Collins, Carl Froch and Joe Calzaghe).

However, I do find it surprising that the biggest thank-you message DeGale gave was aimed at Al Haymon:

"James DeGale Announces Retirement"

Last but not least THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND, the family man - Alan Haymon for supporting and guiding me through the last chapter of my career! You put the boxers first! I will never forget you.

What is it about Al Haymon that compels so many fighters sing his praises, even when they no longer need to? Even Leo Santa Cruz named his son after Al Haymon!

He must really look after his boxers, because very few of them ever attempt to leave his stable.

[Ruthless-RKO]

What is it about Al Haymon that compels so many fighters sing his praises, even when they no longer need to? Even Leo Santa Cruz named his son after Al Haymon!

He must really look after his boxers, because very few of them ever attempt to leave his stable.

No surprise Al get’s the most praises. I remember when Robert Guerero retired, he praised Al big time too. He really does look after the fighters in PBC.

At the beginning he was kinda overpaying boxers though.

[Ruthless-RKO]