DeGale wants Magee
December 17th, 2010
By Sean McDaniel: Newly crowned British super middleweight champion James DeGale (9-0, 7 KO’s) wants to fight former International Boxing Organization and current EBU super middleweight champion Brian Magee (34-3-1, 24 KO’s) next after DeGale destroyed a badly over-matched British champion Paul Smith in a 9th round stoppage last weekend at the Echo Arena, in Liverpool, England.
DeGale obviously sees Magee’s high ranking and has noted, as I have, how average Magee looks in all of his fights. This might even be a significant step down for DeGale from Smith if DeGale were able to land a fight with Magee. It’s doubtful that DeGale will be able to fight Magee next, because he’s rumored to be International Boxing Federation (IBF) super middleweight champion Lucian Bute’s next opponent early next year. Magee won’t likely set that fight aside just to fight DeGale.
In an article at frankwarren.tv, DeGale said “Now I’ve got the British, I’ve got to think about where I could go next, and Magee is one man I would like to fight. People said I would not have enough experiences to fight Paul Smith, but I went in there and proved I can fight long distances. Magee is on the verge of a world title shot, so who knows if he would want to fight me. But if he wanted it, I would say yes straight away.”
Of course DeGale would. Magee is very average, and doesn’t really stand out in any one area. This is a fight that DeGale could win without any problems. But the win would be a good one in pushing DeGale up the world rankings given Magee’s high rankings.
DeGale looked nothing short of sensational in taking out a very good fighter in Paul Smith. DeGale stayed relaxed the entire fight, switching fighting stances and raking Smith with combinations to the head and body. Smith was able to land an occasional nice shot for the first four rounds. However, the fight turned into a total one-sided mismatch starting in the 5th when DeGale began to land combinations that backed Smith up. Smith was cut over his right eye in the 4th from a clash of heads. However, that wasn’t the reason he struggled against DeGale.
Smith began to tire out after the 4th and couldn’t match DeGale’s work rate or keep up with all the fighting angles DeGale was showing. In the 9th round, DeGale landed a series of hard left hooks that snapped Smith’s head around like it was on a swivel. Referee Howard John Foster then stepped in and halted the fight at 2:08 of the 9th with Smith still on his feet.
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dont like de gale as a bloke nut hes a good fighter,think hes got s real chance of winning a world title
degale hasent fought a decent boxer yet he will be another calzaghe he will fight in britain all his carear groves will beat him no way will degale beat froch far from his level yet
Groves wouldn’t last 6 against de gale – way too many holes in his defence and de gale hits hard. Groves won’t get further than domestic level, de gale will be knocking on the door at world level by this time next year.
As impressed as I was with DeGale against Smith, I still think he would have huge trouble against any of the top fighters in this division, what is it with rushing fighters these days? When they slip up as a result of being rushed (Khan…I am talking about you) the negative result dogs them for the rest of their careers. I don’t like fighters being guided into titles, its bad for the sport, the cream rises to the top in the end, hence Froch’s lofty position, so lets hope common sense rules in the DeGale camp.
This belt held would appear to be equivelant to chavez,s silver belt.
@ Doog
I said that he would give Froch a good fight, dont think he would beat him…. yet. Dont underestimate how tough and seasoned Froch is.
DeGale will be ready within the next 12 months if he maintains current progress. No need to push him to soon.
Makes a change for some almost sensible debate on here for a change….. well nearly.
PP
degale is not far off world class already,much better than Froch was at this stage.Infact i would take him over Froch already.
good call indas… not even the same weight division!! would be sensible for Degale to stick to his own weight (super middle for clarity) for now.
Or maybe he should fight the winner of David Haye vs Amir Khan to determine the british pfp title….
my gosh, you do get some on here!!
Groves isnt progressing as quickly as DeGale … i hope these two dont fight until one of them have a world title.
the best thing about DeGale is he is fighting in the oppositions home towns and winning easily
at the beginning Degale had to try and stop opponents who only wanted to survive now boxers are trying to beat him and he is showing his class
either Groves or Degale fighting Magee would be great and within two years one or both will be world champions if Bute or Ward moves to light heavyweight
would be a real test for james then he should fight groves i wouldalso like to see him fight nathen cleverly
Having a European title historically gives a fighter a top ten ranking with the governing bodies.
Magee is an ideal opponent for DeGale. Possibly not as robust as Smith is (Despite Degale stopping him)and would probably give Degale a little more to think about within the way he fights. Magee is a seasoned fighter and only loses to decent opponents. He is vulnerable to being countered and does taste the canvas on a few occasions.
Groves is another possible opponent. Who up to facing Kenny Anderson i fancied to beat Degale. But based upon their last fights only see one winner – Degale and with a certain degree of comfort. I dont think Groves would see past the end of round 6.
The only area of concern i have with DeGale in terms of his progress, is trying to push him in too soon at the very top level. See off the likes of Magee & Groves. Possibly an Allen Green type of opponent mid 2011. If he wins that in style then look to fight one of the losing semi-finalists from the Super Six tournament. If he is still there and winning well then let him loose on the likes of Froch or Ward (I mention these two as the likely finalists – IMHO).
For what its worth i think he would give Froch and Ward a decent fight based upon his last performance.
Bottom line is he needs to have another 4 or 5 fights against differing opponents. But his porgress over the last 9 months has been nothing short of sensational.
PP
Was hoping for an article on DeGale, would have done one myself if I had the time.
But I couldn’t agree more, he looked top class against Smith. His defensive technique reminded me that of Floyd Mayweather. The raised left shoulder protecting the chin whilst the right hand acts as a support for the head.
After seeing George Groves last 2 fights, I would fancy DeGale to win that fight fairly comfortably. Despite what that prat Adam Booth says
and WBO has him at 13. So Now sure why you chose to slate the other two organisations only??
WBC has Brian at no 2