DeGale may turn professional soon [Archive]

kosaros

10-06-2008, 07:57 AM

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22-year-old DeGale is looking at the end of October to make a final decision, but admits that he's about "60%" certain that he wants to keep his amateur status.
Much depends, says DeGale, on the future of his coach Terry Edwards, the man who led Great Britain to their best Olympic performance since 1956.
DeGale, 22, told PA: "I'm not going to let too much out but (the contract offer) is way over a million - nearly two million over a couple of years.
"If I do or do not (turn professional) everyone will soon find out."
A shake-up in the British amateur boxing set-up has left the future of Edwards uncertain, and DeGale believes more boxers will leave to become professionals if their father figure isn't kept on for 2012.
He said: "He (Edwards) has proved himself. He is like a second Dad to us.
"When he has to be hard, he is hard. It is the whole vibe and communication with him that just works.
"It would be nice if he could stay."

I think he should turn professional, sign with Hennessy and get exposure on ITV.

Plus if he were to go to 2012 olympics what would happen if he were to lose in the first fight? he certainly would not be as marketable and has lost 4 years were he could have made millions.

Benjiabc

10-06-2008, 08:00 AM

cant understand the guy, if it was me, i would definitly turn pro. He has won the gold. Nothing left to prove now at amatuer.

GazOC

10-06-2008, 08:08 AM

Maybe he knows he's got his work cut out adapting his style for the pros?

kosaros

10-06-2008, 08:13 AM

Maybe he knows he's got his work cut out adapting his style for the pros?

Good post. Due to his style he will not be as exciting to the general public as Amir Khan was because he has an exciting style of boxing, while DeGale's style may only be appreciated by boxing fans. Still if someone is offering him nearly £2 million to turn pro, they must see something decent about him.

robpalmer135

10-06-2008, 08:18 AM

Maybe he knows he's got his work cut out adapting his style for the pros?

personally i think he has a good style for the pros.

GazOC

10-06-2008, 08:19 AM

i don't

TFFP

10-06-2008, 08:34 AM

There isn't anything wrong with his style for the pros. He will take fine tuning, but nearly all amateurs do. As long as he does not have a glass jaw, works incredibly hard on his fitness to get it up to at least 8 round level, and gets the correct fights for his development unlike Khan he will have a good chance.

GazOC

10-06-2008, 08:39 AM

"Fine tuning" as in learning to throw combinations, developing any type of body attack, being able to do any work at all on the inside.....?

TFFP

10-06-2008, 08:42 AM

He can throw combinations. His bodywork might be better than expected, why the hell would you bother throwing them when they never scored?

Inside he is weak, but aren't all the ams? I saw a few sneaky little tricks as well, he's not as hapless as Khan up close.

You can focus on all the negatives, but there are plenty of positive things. Nobody likes fighting a defensively cute southpaw with good speed and counterpunching. It is anybodys worst nightmare. He will be a very frustrating guy to fight and probably not popular, but who cares.

dwilson

10-06-2008, 08:51 AM

I think he will do well in pro. The lad has ok power which may improve and an awkward style. I doubt you will find a better prospect domestically that has turned over in the last year or is near to ready to be a pro apart from Frankie Gavin. Who ever gets hold of him will probably match him in a way that the public gets to see him at his best and then hopefully we will see him develope and grow into the pro game.

GazOC

10-06-2008, 08:51 AM

You're a fine one to talk about "focusing on negatives":lol:

I'm not saying he won't make it in the pros, just that if I was a betting man (and I am) I wouldn't put money on it. He has so many things to correct, a damn site more than most Olympians turning pro.

TFFP

10-06-2008, 08:56 AM

GazOC

10-06-2008, 08:58 AM

Saunders will do better than DeGale in the pros IMHO.

TFFP

10-06-2008, 09:01 AM

You'll see. TFFP is a talent scout. Alexeev, Gamboa and DeGale if he turns pro now rather than in 4 years are the future.

Beeston Brawler

10-06-2008, 09:02 AM

I think you will have to see him without the headguard and vest boxing against pros to see if he can fight effectively on the inside.

It does seem rather pointless bothering to throw body shots, when...

1. They aren't being scored
2. The referee waits for the fighter to get up before counting

He would be best served having six months training constantly to get himself in good shape for the pro game - I would reckon that the nature of the pro's will mean he fights at 154 rather than 160.

A good move would be to sign with anyone but ****** - that way he won't be spoonfed ala Khan and will be given meaningful fights straight away where he will have to learn and work hard in order to be successful.

Good luck to the kid, I hope he does well, and avoids the humiliating starching that Khan suffered.

GazOC

10-06-2008, 09:07 AM

Gamboa has fast hands (and gets a bit sloppy because of that) but he's not going to be the ATG that some people seem to think.

I've nothing against Degale and wish him all the best. I just don't think he's going to do it, but that doesn't mean I'm going to whip myself into a hate filled frenzy every time he fights or gives an interview....;O)

dwilson

10-06-2008, 09:08 AM

Saunders will do better than DeGale in the pros IMHO.

He is just another faiiled Olympian at the moment with abit of talent, nothing more.

saturday_kid

10-06-2008, 09:09 AM

Just wondering what you think of George Groves. Haven't really seen much of the amateurs myself but heard a lot about him and how he's better than DeGale etc. Signed with Hayemaker, apparently making his debut on the undercard to Haye Barrett

GazOC

10-06-2008, 09:11 AM

He is just another faiiled Olympian at the moment with abit of talent, nothing more.

At least he as a decent, compact style. I'm not saying he'll be world champ but he'll do pretty well in the pros.

TFFP

10-06-2008, 09:13 AM

Oh go on Gaz. I'd love to see some hate or at least emotion.

Gamboa has more than fast hands. His movement, power, range of attack is unparalleled at the moment.

Alexeev is the dead cert. He is more solid and consistent than Gamboa. Should be a star.

dwilson

10-06-2008, 09:16 AM

At least he as a decent, compact style. I'm not saying he'll be world champ but he'll do pretty well in the pros.

Yep. I totally agree. Look at some of our recent world champions in the pro game, not many had a great amature pedigree but went onto have great success while a few of the lads highly touted in the amatures have gone onto do very little. De Gale has the opportunity to get good fights and good training and hopefully the lad will improve, Saunders could do great stuff but at the moment he is just one of the list of many good amatures we have in this country. I would love them all to do well.

dwilson

10-06-2008, 09:17 AM

Beeston Brawler

10-06-2008, 09:21 AM

Gamboa looks excellent but has a tendency to walk onto shots

GazOC

10-06-2008, 09:24 AM

..with his chin the air.

TFFP

10-06-2008, 09:28 AM

:-(

Luckily his opponents walk onto a lot more shots, and will continue to do so

Beeston Brawler

10-06-2008, 09:53 AM

True enough

GazOC

10-06-2008, 09:55 AM

The mistakes you can get away with at one level you might not get away with as you move up.

dwilson

10-06-2008, 10:00 AM

The mistakes you can get away with at one level you might not get away with as you move up.

Like Haye?

GazOC

10-06-2008, 10:03 AM

Like Haye?

I have to admit I hope he starts keeping that left up at heavyweight. It'll only take one right cross from a decent HW and he won't get a second chance.

dwilson

10-06-2008, 10:19 AM

I have to admit I hope he starts keeping that left up at heavyweight. It'll only take one right cross from a decent HW and he won't get a second chance.

I just hope he does not get too cocky vs Monte Barrett, I doubt he will be able to crawl to the end of the round at heavy like he did at cruiser.

Beeston Brawler

10-06-2008, 10:20 AM

I think Haye will still have the speed to slip the shots, the heavies won't be as fast as the cruisers.

Fat Joe

10-06-2008, 10:23 AM

He will be a very frustrating guy to fight and probably not popular, but who cares.

Do you see his style as similar to Johnny nelson's?

GazOC

10-06-2008, 10:24 AM

Maybe Beeston, but if he gets in he situation he did against Mormeck and theres a young heavyweight across the ring rather than an old cruiser, then he's in serious trouble.

TFFP

10-06-2008, 10:25 AM

Maybe Beeston, but if he gets in he situation he did against Mormeck and theres a young heavyweight across the ring rather than an old cruiser, then he's in serious trouble.
:lol:

GazOC

10-06-2008, 10:35 AM

True, thats a bit of an oxymoron these days.

Beeston Brawler

10-06-2008, 10:38 AM

Hopefully he will have learned a few lessons from that, no doubt the proof will be in the pudding.

Hopefully that pudding will be Wlad Klitschko, but I doubt that somewhat.

Sprint

10-06-2008, 11:57 AM

Britain's Olympic middleweight champion boxer James DeGale says he will make a decision by the end of the month on whether or not to turn professional.

The 22-year-old said he was tempted by the prospect of defending his title on home soil in London in 2012 but a good financial offer may prove irresistible.
"To be honest, I'm looking for £2m over two years," he told BBC Five Live.
"Some promoters are all mouth but as an Olympic gold medallist I should be really looking for that kind of money."

DeGale admitted the chance to secure his family's financial future was hugely attractive, but they were putting him under no pressure. "I've got to think about it carefully, and if they (promoters) come up with something sensible, it's going to be hard to say no.

"I've been in professional gyms and sparred with British and Commonwealth champions, so the pro game would suit me to a tee, trust me.
"Everybody who’s been in the gym with me, trained with or has trained me knows deep down I will become a world champion."

LMAO I can just imagine the uproar if Amir Khan had made a couple of those statements.

Beeston Brawler

10-06-2008, 11:58 AM

Do you see his style as similar to Johnny nelson's?

When watching the Olympics I reckoned he was like Junior Witter, so saying he is like Johnny Nelson ain't too far wide of the mark.

robpalmer135

10-06-2008, 12:22 PM

theres an interview on the bbc site where de gale says he will have no problem with pro game, has sparred plenty with british and commonwealth level and done well.

i remember buncey saying that degale already had a style ready for the pros.

Beeston Brawler

10-06-2008, 12:27 PM

If Buncey said it, then it must be true :lol:

robpalmer135

10-06-2008, 12:31 PM

If Buncey said it, then it must be true :lol:

hes got good reach, can take a shot, good power, defensivley better than most pros already. i think you guys are seeing a bigger versain of junior witter (aka nelson) but he will be a tad more exciting than that. we shall see. because of his height he could be anywhere from light mid to light heavy.

Beeston Brawler

10-06-2008, 12:43 PM

I don't think a fighter could be as boring as Witter/Nelson if they tried.

You don't know how good his chin really is until the headguard comes off, and the referee not saving the fighter after getting a clip on the chin.

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dwilson

10-06-2008, 12:55 PM

I think Haye will still have the speed to slip the shots, the heavies won't be as fast as the cruisers.

Mormeck and Frag were very slow.

hitman_hatton1

10-06-2008, 01:18 PM

get this show on the road. :bbb

hurry up and turn pro james. :yep

Benjiabc

10-06-2008, 03:50 PM

He is definitely the best prospect in British boxing, Gavin could not hurt my grandma with his punches.

DeGale is X10 the prospect Khan ever was too. I havn't seen too many videos of him doing the chicken dance in the amateurs. He does not just stand there infront of you bolt upright waiting to get hit on his glass jaw. He has good movement and defence.

i think your spot on about degale, i think he is a fantastic prospect for british boxing, it would be interesting to see how he adapted to the pro's but if he can take a punch then i dont see why he could not be very good, like you have said he has good movement and defnece, hes a great counter puncher and during the olympics he had some very nice timing and balance. i dont know what all this is about he hasnt got the style to please the british public? why is that, because he does not come forward with a high volume of punches but yet has a glass chin and very poor defence, like khan you mean? P.S i am not saying you said this TFFP i know you didnt. but overall i think degale has as good a chance as anyone turning pro.

TFFP

10-06-2008, 03:55 PM

i think your spot on about degale, i think he is a fantastic prospect for british boxing, it would be interesting to see how he adapted to the pro's but if he can take a punch then i dont see why he could not be very good, like you have said he has good movement and defnece, hes a great counter puncher and during the olympics he had some very nice timing and balance. i dont know what all this is about he hasnt got the style to please the british public? why is that, because he does not come forward with a high volume of punches but yet has a glass chin and very poor defence, like khan you mean? P.S i am not saying you said this TFFP i know you didnt. but overall i think degale has as good a chance as anyone turning pro.
:good

All this shit about him not being suited to the pros and will never achieve anything is bollocks. Talent is talent, he's got many of the attributes needed, with some refinement he can do anything provided he hasn't got a glass jaw or something that hasn't come to our attention.

ishy

10-06-2008, 03:57 PM

i think your spot on about degale, i think he is a fantastic prospect for british boxing, it would be interesting to see how he adapted to the pro's but if he can take a punch then i dont see why he could not be very good, like you have said he has good movement and defnece, hes a great counter puncher and during the olympics he had some very nice timing and balance. i dont know what all this is about he hasnt got the style to please the british public? why is that, because he does not come forward with a high volume of punches but yet has a glass chin and very poor defence, like khan you mean? P.S i am not saying you said this TFFP i know you didnt. but overall i think degale has as good a chance as anyone turning pro.

Agree with all of that. I also worry that the public may not warm to DeGale because of his counter-punching style. The kid has serious talent and can go a long way.

TFFP

10-06-2008, 04:04 PM

Who cares about the public. It shouldn't be a worry for him, or us as hardcore fans. He's going to get paid handsomely if he turns pro, that has been established.

I wouldn't call Floyd Mayweather especially exciting in a blood and guts way, but we can be appreciative and its good to watch if you enjoy the finer aspects of the sport. I would be looking for the same things from DeGale.

GazOC

10-06-2008, 04:07 PM

We'll see, I'm not writing him off but I'm far from convinced. I'm sorry TFFP for talking load of bollocks and shit to hardcore fans such as your good self.

ishy

10-06-2008, 04:08 PM

We'll see, I'm not writing him off but I'm far from convinced. I'm sorry TFFP for talking load of bollocks and shit to hardcore fans such as your good self.

:lol:

TFFP

10-06-2008, 04:16 PM

We'll see, I'm not writing him off but I'm far from convinced. I'm sorry TFFP for talking load of bollocks and shit to hardcore fans such as your good self.
So you should be. It was getting disrespectful.

GazOC

10-06-2008, 04:19 PM

Me disrespectful? People in glass houses.....;O)

Primadonna Kool

10-06-2008, 04:20 PM

I don't really rate this Degale charactor, his style is more suited for the amatuers. It dose'nt really look like, he know's how to throw straight punches....

TFFP

10-06-2008, 04:23 PM

ishy

10-06-2008, 04:25 PM

GazOC

10-06-2008, 04:31 PM

When have I been disrespectful to you in public

It's like Dunky always harps on - there is a pecking order around here. Dunky is obviously on top of the throne, and then people like myself and yourself and a few other mainstays. Then there are some solid contributors, and the noob peasants. It does not sit well when you undermine me in public
Not me, I'm thicker skinned than that!! It was just a little dig at your attitude to Hatton ("cunt", "fat bastard" etc)...;)

I don't subscribe to this pecking order thing TBH, a lot of newbs are idiots but those that are tend to drift off. Having more posts or time on the board doesn't mean your opinion is any more valid IMHO

DISCLAIMER: Any undermining was purely accidental and no established posters were harmed during the making of this thread.;)

Primadonna Kool

10-06-2008, 04:34 PM

"Fine tuning" as in learning to throw combinations, developing any type of body attack, being able to do any work at all on the inside.....?

He looked shit the Olympics, we know he can play tick.."But can he fight"..he played a voilent game of tick in the olympics.

Can he throw straight punches...?

And short combinations...?

I don't rate him much...

TFFP

10-06-2008, 04:41 PM

Not me, I'm thicker skinned than that!! It was just a little dig at your attitude to Hatton ("cunt", "fat bastard" etc)...;)

I don't subscribe to this pecking order thing TBH, a lot of newbs are idiots but those that are tend to drift off. Having more posts or time on the board doesn't mean your opinion is any more valid IMHO

DISCLAIMER: Any undermining was purely accidental and no established posters were harmed during the making of this thread.;)
I'm almost tempted to take this to a PM, I think discussions in public only start rumours lower down the hierarchy and a sense of disharmony around the place. The noobs will be thinking like this is their chance to disrespect senior posters and overrule us whilst there is weakness

We've seen guys like Asif acting the big man recently. Keep together.

ishy

10-06-2008, 04:47 PM

I'm almost tempted to take this to a PM, I think discussions in public only start rumours lower down the hierarchy and a sense of disharmony around the place. The noobs will be thinking like this is their chance to disrespect senior posters and overrule us whilst there is weakness

We've seen guys like Asif acting the big man recently. Keep together.

OMG!! A noob revolution! They need to be crushed. I think the time has come for you to take Mod power and deport Noobs/convicts to the Aussie forum.

GazOC

10-06-2008, 04:48 PM

:lol:;)

I'm sure Dolyey and Strike can take care of Asif...:D

You know theres going to be another influx of newbs with JC, Hatton and Haye all fighting next month? I hope you'll be on your best behaviour??:blood;)

TFFP

10-06-2008, 04:49 PM

OMG!! A noob revolution! They need to be crushed. I think the time has come for you to take Mod power and deport Noobs/convicts to the Aussie forum.
I have advocated my being made moderator on occasion. For some reason I wasn't getting the support I expected

Maybe time for a new campaign and a slight revamp on the manifesto

GazOC

10-06-2008, 04:49 PM

OMG!! A noob revolution! They need to be crushed. I think the time has come for you to take Mod power and deport Noobs/convicts to the Aussie forum.

Don't get him started on the "mod" thing....:D

ishy

10-06-2008, 04:50 PM

GazOC

10-06-2008, 04:55 PM

:lol::good

This is where we miss DanB, he used to sort the newbie wheat from the newbie chaff pretty quickly.

TFFP

10-06-2008, 04:55 PM

Please remove 'we' from that sentence

ishy

10-06-2008, 04:56 PM

:lol::good

This is where we miss DanB, he used to sort the newbie wheat from the newbie chaff pretty quickly.

What has happened to him? He used to be a very good poster when I started posting on here.

GazOC

10-06-2008, 05:06 PM

What has happened to him? He used to be a very good poster when I started posting on here.

For some unfathomable reason, he managed to fall out with TFFP and was never seen again.

GazOC

10-06-2008, 05:07 PM

Please remove 'we' from that sentence

:lol:

ishy

10-06-2008, 05:08 PM

For some unfathomable reason, he managed to fall out with TFFP and was never seen again.

:lol::lol:

TFFP

10-06-2008, 05:16 PM

But look you guys - your positive comments are probably making Dan feel like he should consider a comeback. I have to think he keeps an eye on this place considering he thought he was an admin

A good farmer never leaves his field all summer, does he? And why? Because all his crops would not grow and he could not feed his family. Or all his sheep would dehydrate in the British summer

Anyway, the moral of the story is that Dan-B is a crap poster.

hitman_hatton1

10-06-2008, 05:30 PM

i think your spot on about degale, i think he is a fantastic prospect for british boxing, it would be interesting to see how he adapted to the pro's but if he can take a punch then i dont see why he could not be very good, like you have said he has good movement and defnece, hes a great counter puncher and during the olympics he had some very nice timing and balance. i dont know what all this is about he hasnt got the style to please the british public? why is that, because he does not come forward with a high volume of punches but yet has a glass chin and very poor defence, like khan you mean? P.S i am not saying you said this TFFP i know you didnt. but overall i think degale has as good a chance as anyone turning pro.

completely agree.

he's got an excellent style for the pro's.

he proved his toughness in that olympic final.

that cuban was tearing into him.

degale stood firm. :bbb