DeGale looking to create history

By makingweight - 05/22/2015 - Comments

1-press-conf-4681By Daniel Hughes: #1 IBF James DeGale (20-1, 14 KOs) is looking to create history tomorrow in Boston by becoming the first Olympic Gold medalist from the UK to transform those amateur credentials into becoming a world champion when he enters the ring at the Agganis Arena, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

DeGale gets the opportunity against Andre Dirrell (24-1, 16 KOs) in a real 50-50 fight with the IBF middleweight championship on the line on NBC on Premier Boxing Champions.

DeGale faces fellow southpaw Andre Dirrell in a fight that you can make reasoned arguments for both fighters. It is a fight I expect to go the distance and it will come down to not so much who will be able to pressure, more about the cleaner counters, it could well become a cagey affair.

The North London fighter will go into the fight knowing he will need to produce the crisper work, especially away from home to catch the judges’ eyes against a fighter in Dirrell that will look to do what he always has done, throw combinations off the back foot.

DeGale is in some ways fighting a mirror image of himself, sharp hands and looking to take advantage of any mistakes. DeGale has certainly looked more imposing in his recent fights by looking to come more into the center of the ring, sitting more on his shots without looking to just throw combinations that frustrate the opponent into mistakes. DeGale, I believe, now has a more versatile style than Andre Dirrell.

Dirrell has the home advantage and is a very tricky customer but he may find an opponent in DeGale that will be able to have the right plan to decipher the fighter called ‘the matrix’. DeGale will have no doubts mentally about what is required to win. The questions about Dirrell in that department he can answer tomorrow night.

I take DeGale to win on points in a fight he will impose himself on in the later rounds, more willing to take the risks required to win the close rounds. The fight fans that rightly bemoan the lack of 50-50 fights, certainly can’t complain about this fight. It makes it a crossroads fight for both fighters.



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