James Degale - on the verge of breaking into the big time

[ALI]

Since the Groves loss he's been hovering in the background. He now looks poised to emerge from the shadows into the limelight. A good win against this Khatchikian on Saturday will set up a final eliminator with Badou Jack, probably to happen on the Mayweather undercard in Vegas. I've never seen Jack fight so cant comment, but if he gets passed him he will be Bika's mandatory, that fight could happen by the end of the summer and its a fight i see him winning. By the end of the year Degale stands a very good chance of holding the WBC title. That would very likely set up a huge unification fight against the winner of Groves/Froch assuming the winner still has the belts.

Its been frustrating waiting on Degale to emerge from the background but the way things are playing out it really does look like this will be his year. Its exciting times in the Supermiddleweight division. If a huge unification fight happens featuring Degale v Groves/Froch, at this early stage i'd be leaning towards Degale coming out victorious.

Here's a good IFLTV interview of Degale discussing his upcomming fight, Froch/Groves 2 and his future. I think he comes across well in this interview, if he keeps it up he could well be on the way to winning over many new fans. Good for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyDUv8j4A-g

[lefty]

Since the Groves loss he's been hovering in the background. He now looks poised to emerge from the shadows into the limelight. A good win against this Khatchikian on Saturday will set up a final eliminator with Badou Jack, probably to happen on the Mayweather undercard in Vegas. I've never seen Jack fight so cant comment, but if he gets passed him he will be Bika's mandatory, that fight could happen by the end of the summer and its a fight i see him winning. By the end of the year Degale stands a very good chance of holding the WBC title. That would very likely set up a huge unification fight against the winner of Groves/Froch assuming the winner still has the belts.

Its been frustrating waiting on Degale to emerge from the background but the way things are playing out it really does look like this will be his year. Its exciting times in the Supermiddleweight division. If a huge unification fight happens featuring Degale v Groves/Froch, at this early stage i'd be leaning towards Degale coming out victorious.

Here's a good IFLTV interview of Degale discussing his upcomming fight, Froch/Groves 2 and his future. I think he comes across well in this interview, if he keeps it up he could well be on the way to winning over many new fans. Good for him. I hope it all goes to plan, the more big stars we have the better it is for British boxing fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyDUv8j4A-g

I'd fancy Degale to beat Jack. He's solid from technically perspective but there's nothing particularily special about him to be honest.

[ALI]

Since the Groves loss he's been hovering in the background. He now looks poised to emerge from the shadows into the limelight. A good win against this Khatchikian on Saturday will set up a final eliminator with Badou Jack, probably to happen on the Mayweather undercard in Vegas. I've never seen Jack fight so cant comment, but if he gets passed him he will be Bika's mandatory, that fight could happen by the end of the summer and its a fight i see him winning. By the end of the year Degale stands a very good chance of holding the WBC title. That would very likely set up a huge unification fight against the winner of Groves/Froch assuming the winner still has the belts.

Its been frustrating waiting on Degale to emerge from the background but the way things are playing out it really does look like this will be his year. Its exciting times in the Supermiddleweight division. If a huge unification fight happens featuring Degale v Groves/Froch, at this early stage i'd be leaning towards Degale coming out victorious.

Here's a good IFLTV interview of Degale discussing his upcomming fight, Froch/Groves 2 and his future. I think he comes across well in this interview, if he keeps it up he could well be on the way to winning over many new fans. Good for him. I hope it all goes to plan, the more big stars we have the better it is for British boxing fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyDUv8j4A-g

I'd fancy Degale to beat Jack. He's solid from technically perspective but there's nothing particularily special about him to be honest.

Just watched a few clips of Jack on YouTube, cant see DeGale losing to him, cant see him losing on Saturday either. He should be Bika's mandatory by early May if all goes to plan. Bika will be his big test, thats the fight that will show us where he is at. Anyone know what is happening with Bika right now, is he scheduled to fight anytime soon?

If things click into place as they appear they will, and DeGale delivers the goods, he could be WBC champion in a matter of 6 months.

[tommo100]

no way does degale beat bika,bika is far to seasoned ,degale while a decent technician,carries nothing in his armoury to actually beat bika on points and he certainly won`t knock him out

[JimJim2009]

no way does degale beat bika,bika is far to seasoned ,degale while a decent technician,carries nothing in his armoury to actually beat bika on points and he certainly won`t knock him out

I was thinking along those lines. I wouldn't say it was mission impossible but I wouldn't rate it as a foregone conclusion. Home advantage could be crucial in that one.

[ALI]

no way does degale beat bika,bika is far to seasoned ,degale while a decent technician,carries nothing in his armoury to actually beat bika on points and he certainly won`t knock him out

I was thinking along those lines. I wouldn't say it was mission impossible but I wouldn't rate it as a foregone conclusion. Home advantage could be crucial in that one.

I would'nt rate it is a foregone conclusion either, but i do lean towards DeGale in that fight. I think his speed and angles will give Bika problems, he would need to be cute and remain disciplned throughout, i think he can be. If he can avoid getting drawn into a tear up i can see him getting the win.

[gobbles]

Jack was in the same middleweight division at the Olympics when Degale won gold. Jack lost his first fight 12-3 to Vijender Singh, of India, who lost to Anthony Ogogo at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi

[fizzjambo]

I'd make DeGale/Bika the closest thing to a foregone conclusion I can imagine re. a mandatory handing a champion his ass! DeGale has faults but Bika is just rough with a granite chin and very fit. DeGale would box his heid off in all honesty.

It's all peanuts anyway as Chavez (never made 168 in his one fight at Supermiddle and looked dreadful vs a less than stellar opponent during it) has been dropped into a top slot for Bika's title anyway!

I know I'll get mocked for it, and I'm no fanboy or hater of any of the British supermiddles, but I'd take DeGale to beat Froch and Groves this year. Honestly

[Baboon]

I reckon Degale would have a shout against Bika, even moreso if he had a tactician in the corner who could give him sound and calm advice that kept him following the plan....

[polecateddy]

Tough gig at the moment to win a title. Bika would seem the best route, but he's a notably tougher an opponent than a number of Brits have had in the past to gain world glory. Woodhall had a ageing and well-worn Malinga. Catley had a creaky Beyer. Reid had the feeble Nardiello. And even Calzaghe got a weight-drained and worn Eubank. Who said it was tougher in the past!

[lefty]

no way does degale beat bika,bika is far to seasoned ,degale while a decent technician,carries nothing in his armoury to actually beat bika on points and he certainly won`t knock him out

I was thinking along those lines. I wouldn't say it was mission impossible but I wouldn't rate it as a foregone conclusion. Home advantage could be crucial in that one.

I would'nt rate it is a foregone conclusion either, but i do lean towards DeGale in that fight. I think his speed and angles will give Bika problems, he would need to be cute and remain disciplned throughout, i think he can be. If he can avoid getting drawn into a tear up i can see him getting the win.

Bika has declined a lot over the last year or so aswell i'd say! Maybe age or just the hard fights he's had but he's struggled quite badly in his last few fights.

[TopGun]

Degale wouldn't last with Groves. If Groves beats Froch then he is going to cash in big style. Groves is on the brink of becoming a seriously wealthy man. A lot of big fights to be made for him.

[Crazyboy]

Degale wouldn't last with Groves. If Groves beats Froch then he is going to cash in big style. Groves is on the brink of becoming a seriously wealthy man. A lot of big fights to be made for him.

Thats a big if right there

Good luck to all three men mentioned, i think they all bring something to boxing in terms of being different characters etc

[mickey1975]

Degale wouldn't last with Groves. If Groves beats Froch then he is going to cash in big style. Groves is on the brink of becoming a seriously wealthy man. A lot of big fights to be made for him.

DeGale would and has lasted with Groves. They will always have very close fights.

[grub]

I'd make DeGale/Bika the closest thing to a foregone conclusion I can imagine re. a mandatory handing a champion his ass! DeGale has faults but Bika is just rough with a granite chin and very fit. DeGale would box his heid off in all honesty.

It's all peanuts anyway as Chavez (never made 168 in his one fight at Supermiddle and looked dreadful vs a less than stellar opponent during it) has been dropped into a top slot for Bika's title anyway!

I know I'll get mocked for it, and I'm no fanboy or hater of any of the British supermiddles, but I'd take DeGale to beat Froch and Groves this year. Honestly

This is the major dark cloud on the horizon. More under-hand manourvering by the WBC where Chavez is concerned. They stuffed Martinez to get Jnr the middleweight title and now I'm sure they'll ride rough-shod over their own 'rules' to get him the super-middle title.

[lillywhite14]

Degale wouldn't last with Groves. If Groves beats Froch then he is going to cash in big style. Groves is on the brink of becoming a seriously wealthy man. A lot of big fights to be made for him.

DeGale would and has lasted with Groves. They will always have very close fights.

Arguably beat Groves as a pro and an amateur

Couldn't have been any closer both times

[Final round]

Degale wouldn't last with Groves. If Groves beats Froch then he is going to cash in big style. Groves is on the brink of becoming a seriously wealthy man. A lot of big fights to be made for him.

DeGale would and has lasted with Groves. They will always have very close fights.

Exactly. Each others nemesis

[JimJim2009]

I'd make DeGale/Bika the closest thing to a foregone conclusion I can imagine re. a mandatory handing a champion his ass! DeGale has faults but Bika is just rough with a granite chin and very fit. DeGale would box his heid off in all honesty.

It's all peanuts anyway as Chavez (never made 168 in his one fight at Supermiddle and looked dreadful vs a less than stellar opponent during it) has been dropped into a top slot for Bika's title anyway!

I know I'll get mocked for it, and I'm no fanboy or hater of any of the British supermiddles, but I'd take DeGale to beat Froch and Groves this year. Honestly

This is the major dark cloud on the horizon. More under-hand manourvering by the WBC where Chavez is concerned. They stuffed Martinez to get Jnr the middleweight title and now I'm sure they'll ride rough-shod over their own 'rules' to get him the super-middle title.

I think we can all agree that Froch, Groves and DeGale would beat the WBC's poster boy easily ?

[SamWise72]

Bika was no slickster to begin with, and isn't the monster he was anyway. James would need to be in top shape, and would have to work hard (not his favourite) but I like his chances against Bika.

[rio]

Jack just got knocked out in the 1st round.......what now for degale? Does he skip the eliminator and go straight to bika?

[lefty]

Jack just got knocked out in the 1st round.......what now for degale? Does he skip the eliminator and go straight to bika?

That's shocking! Lol. I never particularily rated him anyway! I wonder whether Anthony Dirrell still might be high in the rankings?

[Boxing Prospect]

Awful stuff from TMT tonight and Jack was the icing on the proverbial cake.

[Glass Joe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYFeOtrnUg4 fight

[Final round]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYFeOtrnUg4 fight

Thanks for that.Done in 1 by Derek Edwards.
That first right hand that put him down was a bloody good shot .