deGale and Gavin and BJ Saunders sign prof terms with ******!

[alba]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/News/Articles/2008/12/02/3067123.html

Frank ****** has signed Olympic champion James DeGale, world champion Frankie Gavin and Olympian Billy Joe Saunders, it was confirmed in London today.

All three will make their professional debuts in the New Year in a hugely exciting move for the sport.

****** beat off stiff competition from promoters on both sides of the Atlantic to ink DeGale, Gavin and Saunders, some of the best amateurs the UK has produced in the last 20 years.

"I'm delighted to have signed James, Frankie and Billy Joe, and I'm very excited about working with them in the future," said ******.

"I think they will all become world champions, and after their success as amateurs, the public is really going to get behind them and will want to watch their progress through the ranks."

"Chunky" DeGale became a national hero in August when he won middleweight gold at the Beijing Olympics - and is now aiming to add a world title to his tropy cabinet.

Still only 22, DeGale's progress to the Olympic final was watched by millions in the UK as he became just one of a handful of British boxers to win gold.

In China, he defeated Mohamed Hikal, Shawn Estrada and Bakhtiyar Artayev in the preliminary stages, before widely out-pointing Darren Sutherland in the semi finals.

It set up a final against Cuba's Emilio Correa, and DeGale raced into an early lead in a messy fight - his opponent was docked two points for biting him in the first round - only to be pegged back in the closing minutes.

DeGale held on for a 16-14 victory, and celebrated wildly after achieving a dream that at times only he believed he could fulfil.

Now DeGale has the world at his feet, and has the same profile - and crossover appeal - that Amir Khan ([Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/indexboxers.php?page=boxers&id=9) enjoyed four years ago when he captured silver in Athens.

If things had gone to plan, Gavin would now be the proud owner of lightweight gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Eight months earlier, at the world championships in Chicago, Gavin had become Britain's first-ever amateur world champion with a sensational run to the final.

A regular winner at international tournaments, Gavin was immediately installed as a favourite for gold in China, and was the poster boy for the British boxing team.

But his Olympic dream ended before it had even started when he was sent home from a training camp in Macau after failing to make the weight.

A big lightweight who was still filling out, Gavin had simply out-grown his division.

Heartbroken, Gavin returned home and began to contemplate the implications of what had happened - but has vowed to cure the hurt by becoming a professional world champion within four years.

Saunders was the youngest member of the British Olympic squad in Beijing in 2008 - but could become the best of the lot in the professional arena.

He certainly seems to have boxing in his blood, as his family history is steeped in the legendary bare-knuckle fighting of the Romany traveling community.

Saunders, still only 19, was a surprise qualifier for the Chinese Games, making it through when he was just 18.

He beat European champion Andrey Balanov en route to an all-important third place in a tournament in Pescara, Italy.

And the only downside was that by coming third, Saunders' 49-fight winning streak as an amateur came to an end.

At the Olympics themselves, Saunders couldn't get among the medals, bowing out in the second round, but he did't disgrace himself, and also became the first Romany to represent Britain at a Games.

[jc]

They were always gonna go pro...

Im pleased with this, i think it was probably the best move they could make.

[TFFP]

Big coup for ******. Just when people thought he was dying, he's got the three most eye catching amateurs.

[Beeston Brawler]

Some new cash providers for Frankie

[Benjiabc]

glad they are turning pro, but with ******:tired
i guess its still good for british boxing.

[Strike]

Shame they signed with Baron Greenback, but he wont get the type of sales and interest from those three that he did from Khan. Also only Saunders looks like he will make a good pro fighter.

[Beeston Brawler]

Saunders is the obvious stand out, in that it won't take him any real period to adapt.

DeGale and Gavin will require plenty of work.

[jc]

Big coup for ******. Just when people thought he was dying, he's got the three most eye catching amateurs.

****** NEEDS these guys to be successful or look like they have been successful.

Saunders has the best chance imo.

[Darni187]

Good news, but i hate FW the Greedy wanker, look at what he has done to Khan , hope he does not do it to these young guys.

Crazy when you think about Khan is still younger than DeGale.

[TFFP]

Frank ****** didn't do anything to Khan. His parents did it when they contrived to produce that egg chin.

[Beeston Brawler]

If only the iron chinned sperm had faster footwork.......

[robpalmer135]

i really think de gale will make a good pro. hes already got the big fight expirience, hes tall, picks his shots well. very athletic. hes been around the gyms for a long time.

[robpalmer135]

also saunders is very young, ****** will take his time with him.

[dwilson]

Glad to see ****** has some more talent to nurture.

[TehRileh]

I see another PPV with 5 Former Olympian stand outs as a main event then.:fire

[Olly]

From what I saw in the olympics DeGale was the worst Gold medalist of the lot.
He seemed like a nice chap when he was on the boxing hour with his old man but I really cant see Chunky making any impact in the pro ranks.
If I was betting on which of the 3 will accomplish the most in the pro game I would have to go with Saunders, but i may be way off the point as Im only basing it on what ive seen

[kurt2006]

A regular winner at international tournaments, Gavin was immediately installed as a favourite for gold in China, and was the poster boy for the British boxing team.

Poster boy my arse, the guy has a huge forehead and looks like somthing out of a horror movie.

Looks like the talk of GBP being interested in Gavin was just b/s to build his media profile before turning pro. Same with degale and his b/s about £2m offers to turn pro.

[icemax]

Looks like the talk of GBP being interested in Gavin was just b/s to build his media profile before turning pro. Same with degale and his b/s about £2m offers to turn pro.

It would be interesting to see what £££ they eventually signed for

[ScouseLad]

"I think they will all become world champions"

I agree Frank, they might all end up mediocre fighters but im pretty sure they'll at least get a shot at the "Sports Netwo...." sorry "WBO" belt.

[JonOli]

It would be interesting to see what £££ they eventually signed for

He just said on 5live it was not far off the 2m he wanted, but it's spread over 2 years.

[JonOli]

If people on here didn't like Khans personality wait till they get a load of James DeGale.

[icemax]

He just said on 5live it was not far off the 2m but spread over 2 years.

If thats true it is an awful lot of cash for siomeone who in my eye is fairly mediocre....Fwank may see something in the man that I don't. :bbb

[icemax]

If people on here didn't like Khans personality wait till they get a load of James DeGale.

DeGale makes Khan look like some sort of self deprecating, publicity shy choir boy. James DeGale has a face that requires re-arranging...I am a hater already :good

[JonOli]

If thats true it is an awful lot of cash for siomeone who in my eye is fairly mediocre....Fwank may see something in the man that I don't. :bbb

They replayed a clip from about a month ago where he bet a tenner with the newsreader that he wouldn't turn pro. He refused to give it her.:D

I must admit that I didn't see a lot boxing (pro wise) in De gale, but I could well be wrong.

[robpalmer135]

rumour says it 1.5mil over 2 years. i reckon ****** will have them rotating on friday fight nights and then all 3 on his big shows until they get to british, commonwealth level.

[ScouseLad]

If people on here didn't like Khans personality wait till they get a load of James DeGale.

Haha Im already there, I cant stand the guy. Every interview is either talking about "money" or the "lights and glory". Nothing wrong with having ambition of course but I get the feeling he thinks he's the best ever already and thats it.

He might get on some sold out Khan undercards for example but I doubt many people will be in the arena when he's on so I think he's in for a rude awakening if he thinks everything is fighting infront of massive crowds. He's got to earn that and judging by his words so far im not sure he has it in him, but then that is just guesswork so we'll see I suppose.

[ScouseLad]

Fucking hell, just heard him on the radio "I'm a little superstar". This guy is a fucking bellend.

[achillesthegreat]

We all knew this would happen before the boxer themselves even knew it. How is ****** gonna give up his chance on more Amir Khans. ****** knows that even if they aren't world champs he can't create enough of a buzz to get his money back.

I don't blame them. ****** is still the best promoter to sign with despite his flaws. Hennessey and Hayemaker have the right mentality but don't deliver in the same capacity.

[Grant1]

If people on here didn't like Khans personality wait till they get a load of James DeGale.

Spot on :lol:

He needs to learn some humility or the whole of the world is gonna be on his back & willing him to be knocked out.

[Darni187]

Well the Khan haters might focus their love on these guys now who will be getting all the limelight. Khan can tuck his chin in and get on with his career:p

[jc]

As of today I hope they all do well.

[Kid Lucky]

Spot on :lol:

He needs to learn some humility or the whole of the world is gonna be on his back & willing him to be knocked out.

Might be true but I suspect that the big mouth is partly about marketing and plenty of fighters have done that over the years.

Hopefully he and the others will develop a personna that isn't just bragging about how great 'James DeGale' is in the 3rd person.

How about bringing back brawling with an opponent on the street in the build-up to the fight? Always shifts a few tickets and with rolling sports news channels will get plenty of coverage?

[icemax]

How about bringing back brawling with an opponent on the street in the build-up to the fight? Always shifts a few tickets and with rolling sports news channels will get plenty of coverage?

:good

We haven't had a proper jackets off moment in ages

[One Round]

Will there ever be an Olympic boxer turned pro the British public won't end up hating?

[hit me HARDER]

Only if he's an Olympic boxer turned British turned Pro

[ryanm8655]

Will there ever be an Olympic boxer turned pro the British public won't end up hating?

I swear most of britains best sportsmen are criticised for something, in all sports, it's a shitty mentality!

[Anthony Farnell]

From what I saw in the olympics DeGale was the worst Gold medalist of the lot.
:huh Did you see some of the Chinese gold medalists?
DeGale had a tough draw and did well to get gold.
The pros are completely different obviously.

I like DeGale anyway but know everyone else hates him :smoke

[Beeston Brawler]

The Chinese gold medallist was awful - wouldn't have won if the event hadn't taken place in his home town.

It was a joke - Egan (if I remember correctly) was bashing him up in the semi, making him run like a bitch.

[Anthony Farnell]

The Chinese gold medallist was awful - wouldn't have won if the event hadn't taken place in his home town.

It was a joke - Egan (if I remember correctly) was bashing him up in the semi, making him run like a bitch.
That was the final against Egan.
He was even worse in the semi against the Kazakh (I think it was a Kazakh) and didn't even deserve to win that imo.

[Beeston Brawler]

I recall about ten body shots that nearly had him bent double - get absolutely nothing.

The refereeing and judging was awful.

[Anthony Farnell]

I recall about ten body shots that nearly had him bent double - get absolutely nothing.

The refereeing and judging was awful.

Agree, tbf to DeGale though he wasn't gifted anything by the judges at all from what I recall.
He wasn't gifted a medal because of an easy draw either like others.

[Beeston Brawler]

Nah DeGale didn't receive any favours, but his style was suited to the scoring system.

Whoever it was, whether it be Terry Edwards or his amateur club coach, were very clever devising a method to score points without conceding.

Even though he was more boring than Johnny Nelson and Junior Witter put together.

[Anthony Farnell]

:lol: I don't think he was that boring but I agree with everything else that you say.

[1stcontact]

well his most exciting fight was in the final and that was only because he was in against a cuban who had the munchies

[Beeston Brawler]

Finally found someone more greedy than Oscar de la Hoya - but for flesh rather than $$$

[Anthony Farnell]

I thought the Sutherland fight and his one before that were good.
He was expected to lose both by quite a bit but put on a good performance in both and won easily enough.

[digregorio1.]

I enjoyed watching Billy Joe Saunders the most at the olympics, even if it was only the 2 fights but he looked a v.good boxer who can only get better, he has the name of a boxing great aswell

[JIM KELLY]

DeGale makes Khan look like some sort of self deprecating, publicity shy choir boy. James DeGale has a face that requires re-arranging...I am a hater already :good

LMAO

Im saying let degayle get into the groove of things and may change?

[slip&counter]

bad career choice they will not get much exposure on PPV and ****** will F their career up

saunders looks the most talented and is the youngest so we'll have to wait a long time before he gets into challenging fights and rightly so because he's still a teenager

degale is nothing special, but with neccesary improvements and good matchmaking might surprise i can't believe he's older then Khan

gavin definitly has the skills, but not a lot of pop and i would expect more from him then degale though would like to have seen him in olympics

[TehRileh]

Yeh Gavin aint gonna be a knockout artist thats for sure, unless he really changes and plants his feet on his punches.

[bored]

Good luck to them, the olympics were a bit of a joke but DeGale just did what he had to do so fair play to him. Although he is talking about himself in the thrid person which means James DeGale won't be the most popular man on ESB. Weird name too.

[Tuffnutz]

Shame they signed with Baron Greenback, but he wont get the type of sales and interest from those three that he did from Khan. Also only Saunders looks like he will make a good pro fighter. Baron Greenback:lol:

[ishy]

I think Saunders has the most potential out of the three. He has pro-ish style already. I'm going to give DeGale a chance before I become a hater :lol:.

[ScouseLad]

Oh dear, Degale is already doing the third person stuff on sky. What a prick.

[icemax]

I'm going to give DeGale a chance before I become a hater :lol:.

Fuck that, just cut to the chase and get aboard the hate-mobile right from the get go :yep

[ishy]

Fuck that, just cut to the chase and get aboard the hate-mobile right from the get go :yep


Oh fuck it, I'm aboard :lol:.

[ScouseLad]

Oh fuck it, I'm aboard :lol:.

:happy Welcome!! You wont regret it!

[trotter]

Hope they all do well, should be an interesting few years watching them develop, and comparing their progress.

Don't really give a shít about their personalities. I'm a bit long in the tooth to worry about what some kids who've barely left home (if they even have) have to say about things lol

It's all about the boxing for me

[icemax]

Oh fuck it, I'm aboard :lol:.

Good man :yep

[ScouseLad]

Hope they all do well, should be an interesting few years watching them develop, and comparing their progress.

Don't really give a shít about their personalities. I'm a bit long in the tooth to worry about what some kids who've barely left home (if they even have) have to say about things lol

It's all about the boxing for me

Thats a fair point, afterall at the end of it all he's just some person on TV who I'll probably never watch live let alone meet or anything. But it's nice to be able to relate to people but from what ive heard from him he comes across as everything I hate in a person.

[rooq]

i wonder how long before we get...

"LMAO, De Gayle is another brit hypejob china chinned joke who's gonna get pwned by the first decent boxer he fights!!!"

...in the gf?

[Boxing Gloves]

anyone know who is going to be training them?

[ali's jockstrap]

i think he said he makes a descision on his trainer at the start of next week, its a choice of 2 apparently but he aint decided yet!