BoxRec

When you think about it, James Degale is a very gifted fighter - skilful, exciting to watch - who won an Olympic gold for his country and the British title in nine fights, entering the Lions' Den to do so.

So how on Earth has he managed to become so unpopular? Serious question. No criticism whatsoever is implied of those that manage and promote him. I just wonder why it is that his personality has made him so extraordinarily unpopular with the public.

I think that his conduct throughout the build-up to the Groves fight was embarrassing and childish. But there must be more to it than that.

Anyone got any thoughts about why everything has so gone so wrong for him (in terms of PR)?

PS i still think he's got the talent to be a world champion but he's got a lot to learn in order to do so

not sure,putting on an act to sell the fight?.

he comes across well when he's not fighting anyone

It is a strange one and surely it has to be down to how other Olympians have been percieved. DeGale was paid a lot to turn pro and maybe they've thought that people will be put off by the Olympic tag and razzamatazz so in order to keep the interest and for him to earn his keep they've given him the 'baddie' label.

Everybody likes a pantomime villain. Degale has taken the place of Audley Harrison unfortunately.

Unlike Harrison though. Degale isn't too bright so he's not a manipulative, conniving tosser. He's too thick to be on the same level as Audley Harrison. I mean that in a nice way

I think Degale is a nice bloke actually. Some of his entrances have made him look a total tool and his management/team should help him out more in press conferences (Instead of adding to the problem ala Jim McDonnell) and things like ring entrances etc.

Forcing your opponent to stake his purse in a press conference. Knowing there's no way he could decline. Is a pretty disrespectful thing to do. Degale did that because he's not too bright. Not because he was intentionally being disrespectful. When his team should have been hushing him up. They joined in!

I think Amir Khan has a worse PR than DeGale.

Everything his team do paint him out to be a conniving, money grabbing little shit, when in reality he's a naive young kid who needs proper guidance.

The counry breally does want to get behind the Olympic heroes but Audley, Khan and now DeGale have been booed. It's a shame but these men need to be told that a little bit of charm will get them more fans and bigger purses.

To be honest, I think Khan is working on it and has turned it around to a degree.

Ezzard wrote:The counry breally does want to get behind the Olympic heroes but Audley, Khan and now DeGale have been booed. It's a shame but these men need to be told that a little bit of charm will get them more fans and bigger purses.

To be honest, I think Khan is working on it and has turned it around to a degree.

When did Khan get booed? The Prescott fight?

Sure he got booed from sections of the corwd in a number of his doemstic scraps... maybe I'm just getting confused with all of the criticism he gets on the internet...

Ezzard wrote:Sure he got booed from sections of the corwd in a number of his doemstic scraps... maybe I'm just getting confused with all of the criticism he gets on the internet...

I think the only time Khan has been booed has been when his fans have gone over the top in booing his opponent and the opponents fans have responded in kind.

stujones wrote:

Ezzard wrote:The counry breally does want to get behind the Olympic heroes but Audley, Khan and now DeGale have been booed. It's a shame but these men need to be told that a little bit of charm will get them more fans and bigger purses.

To be honest, I think Khan is working on it and has turned it around to a degree.

When did Khan get booed? The Prescott fight?

Audley was fighting that sawn off cruiserweight on the UC, he got booed the entire fight. There were still some residual boos but nothing really directed as such.

freddydoesdallas wrote:

Ezzard wrote:Sure he got booed from sections of the corwd in a number of his doemstic scraps... maybe I'm just getting confused with all of the criticism he gets on the internet...

I think the only time Khan has been booed has been when his fans have gone over the top in booing his opponent and the opponents fans have responded in kind.

He got booed by a group of Graham Earl's fans at one of his fights before he fought Earl.

Thinking about it, he didn't get the best reception before the Barrera fight, but he was fighting "everyman's" favourite fighter for what he did in 2001.

I think most fighters will get some boos from the fans of opponents - but in most cases with Khan the cheers outweigh the boo's.... it did last time out, which I think surprised many.

Didn't he get booed by his own 'fans' after he got chinned by Prescott (despite virtually pulling himself out the grave to try and box on ... )

danfoster wrote:Didn't he get booed by his own 'fans' after he got chinned by Prescott (despite virtually pulling himself out the grave to try and box on ... )

Yes, there was there - very poor form from the people there. It was hardly Harrison vs Haye.

I think alot more people want to see him fight than given credit for though, I thought he would really struggle to sell anything last time.... okay, I didn't take into account the McCloskey support, but fair do's - Khan had thousands supporting him also. He is more "box office" than people give him credit for.... these reebok ads are not going to him any harm, first boxer I have seen on TV adverts since Hatton and then Naz before him - who both happen to be the biggest stars since the days of Eubank and Bruno (who also appeared on TV ads).

Khan seems like a decent sort. You've got to forgive a younger man his slip ups.

I hope DeGale can become a liked household name.

The problems with the Degale pr imo is that we keep being told how good he is - I think his trainer Jim McDonnell said thimngs like 'He's a Vegas fighter', 'A fighter like this comes only once every 20 years'- things like that. Then, when it comes to the fight, especially with Groves, they kept saying he was levels above. Plus, without much humour, they tried to ridicule the opponent. So Degale is built up into a superstar, or soon to become one, but hasn't the experience to be able to fight like one yet and can't conduct himself with much humility. Everyone therfore is led to believe by him, his trainer and the general pr that he is levels above and no one domestically can match him. Fair enough if it was true but then why the need to try and ridicule of Groves too. Obviosly, there is banter but this was done with such arrogance and lack of humour - it wasn't funny, it was the kind of talk you hear from children in the street. Really boastful and withpout dignity.
Then after they lose, Degale, trianer and promoter have a press conference where they STILL try to belittle the opponent and gripe about the decision as if it's not really fair. They can't seem to see that all this makes them look pathetic and without real substance. Degale and his trainer come across as lacking intelligence.

There is a time and place for hyping a fight and there is a time and place to show respect to your opponent and his team.

Degale at no stage showed he has the balls to show any respect and his bubble has been burst big time!!!!!

King Geedorah wrote:Jeez, he's being treated like a war criminal. Ali said far, far worse and hid behind his smile and good looks. Hopkins has acted worse. James may have known deep down that George was going to put this plan into play and wanted to goad the guy into a fight. The pre-fight signs point to this.

Ali's first pro defeat saw 'The Greatest' blame the result on racism (less said about Spencer Fearon's thoughts on DeGale-Groves the better) and/or a desire to keep him in his place. Hopkins hardly covers himself in glory when he speaks but gets away with it in the main. The less said about Tyson the better.

Worst PR ever? Not even close.

Yep Spencer Fearon has come across as a bit of a tit. FFS Groves had David Haye in his corner and he was getting a fantastic reception for the crowd.

It's amazing how people look back at Ali with rose-tinted specs (in fact, not even rose-tinted, I would say big rose-coloured Deirdre from Corry style specs) and forget all the things he said, which were far worse than DeGale, Hopkins and Haye put together.

no matter how you put it he was out order showin a fellow fighter up the way he did when on camers just no need for it glad groves won

Because he acts like an immature arrogant arsehole in front of camera.

Look the bulk of any big boxing show in this country is going to consist of working class white men.

The majority of working class white people (not all of them) would prefer that the fighters they choose to follow are humble or witty/funny, (at least in front of camera) approachable and a person they can relate to which is why groves' popularity will soar and with time he will become a fighter that will sell out arenas.

Degales arrogance amongst many other reasons will mean he will never be a fan favourite.

chiggsy wrote:Because he acts like an immature arrogant arsehole in front of camera.

Look the bulk of any big boxing show in this country is going to consist of working class white men.

The majority of working class white people (not all of them) would prefer that the fighters they choose to follow are humble or witty/funny, (at least in front of camera) approachable and a person they can relate to which is why groves' popularity will soar and with time he will become a fighter that will sell out arenas.

Degales arrogance amongst many other reasons will mean he will never be a fan favourite.

If the starts winning world titles watch how many people who currently hate him suddenly decide he's really just a bit of a character.

I dont think its the worst PR ever I think Degale is more popular or at least more talked about being the current version of himself than he would be if he did a polite say all the right things impression of his personality.

They guy is a "villain" always will be doesnt mean his PR is necassarily bad.

And you know what chiggsy it’s totally obvious…

Ali was actually witty, funny and at the time original. He only really got personal in a couple of fights.

Maybe the worst PR ever is over stating it but how easy would it be to get it right?

Bellew managed to spark off a massive confrontation without seeming like an unlikeable chap. DeGale has to appreciate that as the star he’s the favourite and when he’s talking down to Groves he seems like the playground bully. And nobody wants to see a bully win.

Defeats here and there mean very little. Had he won the victory may have papered over the cracks. Now he’s lost I expect him to work harder.

In terms of PR he should just shrug it off. On another night with a different set of judges he’s have possibly got the nod. But win or lose he has to accept there was very little in it.

Good luck to Groves and DeGale.

wrimc wrote:I dont think its the worst PR ever I think Degale is more popular or at least more talked about being the current version of himself than he would be if he did a polite say all the right things impression of his personality.

They guy is a "villain" always will be doesnt mean his PR is necassarily bad.

Agree, accept that these days there are too many villains and these guys just seem like another loud-mouthed moron. Who continues to bleat on even in defeat.

Ezzard wrote:

wrimc wrote:I dont think its the worst PR ever I think Degale is more popular or at least more talked about being the current version of himself than he would be if he did a polite say all the right things impression of his personality.

They guy is a "villain" always will be doesnt mean his PR is necassarily bad.

Agree, accept that these days there are too many villains and these guys just seem like another loud-mouthed moron. Who continues to bleat on even in defeat.

I have to agree he isn't very sophisticated about it. He could be much more effective but you cant change a personality.