James DeGale – The Hard Way

By Gavin Duthie - 05/28/2015 - Comments

1-_MG_1651By Gav Duthie: James ‘Chunky’ DeGale is the first British Olympic gold medalist to win a world title. 22 fights, 1 loss, 3 promoters, several contract disputes, the death of a boxing friend and finally the IBF champion of the world. The road has been bumpy to say the least but he has got there and he has beaten one of the best Super Middleweights in the world to do it. 

The DeGale story

It is no coincidence that he is the first British Gold Olympian to win a world title. The pressure on successful amateurs to produce straight away is immense. The benefit is the money comes early but you don’t get to fight 10 journeyman to learn the game as the fans and media expect more earlier. It is amazing that James has only fought 22 times in 7 years but it has been a difficult career for Chunky. 

Turning Pro

In 2009 when James turned pro Frank Warren was still on Sky and the supremo of British promoters. James debuted alongside fellow Olympian Billy Joe Saunders and World amateur champion Frankie Gavin. Whilst Saunders and Gavin scored knockouts DeGale won a points decision against a 9 wins 8 losses journeyman and was booed by some sections of the crowd. 

Tragedy

James DeGale defeated rival and friend Darren Sutherland on route to winning his Olympic gold in the semi final. Sutherland picked up the bronze medal and turned pro under the guidance of Frank (now Kelly) Maloney. Sutherland raced to a 4-0 (4) but was battling depression living without his family in London as well as dealing with an eye injury and lack of confidence. This unfortunately culminated in Maloney finding Darren’s body in his flat after he had committed suicide. Since then DeGale has worn the initials D.S on his shorts and dedicated the world title win to him. 

Bigger fights

James continued his career and started to add power to his game scoring more knockouts and received a tough test in only his 9th fight against then British champion Paul Smith (29-1). He pressured the more experienced Smith all evening eventually scoring a 9th round stoppage. He fought amateur foe George Groves (12-0) in only his 11th fight and lost a decision just as he had in the amateurs. This was a major setback for huge favorite DeGale but Warren managed to secure him a European title shot against Piotr Wilczewski (29-1) which he struggled in after being hurt mid rounds but won a majority decision. 

Promotional Issues

In the meantime, George Groves had left Hayemaker promotions to sign with Frank Warren. Naturally DeGale felt a rematch was imminent which he needed to move forward. This was a singular defence of his European title against Cristian Sanavia (WTKO 4). Eventually DeGale broke free from Warren and signed for Barry Hennessey and his Channel 5 revolution to bring boxing back to mainstream terrestrial TV in the UK. James fought twice in two months (October and December 2012) but looked poor winning unanimous decisions against Hadillah Mouhoumadi and Fulgencio Zuniga. 

Popularity

Rival George Groves was now signed with Eddie Hearn and growing more popular fighting on Sky Sports. He bettered DeGales job on Paul Smith stopping him in 2 rounds and had outpointed former champion Glen Johnson. Carl Froch was coming off the back of a successful Super 6 whilst channel 5 boxing wasn’t breaking any records. With that and some average performances DeGale was now boxing under the radar and in danger of losing any limelight his Olympic successes gave him before. 

2013

In fairness to the Hennessey and Channel 5 project they kept him busy and got him on track at least. His level of opposition had dropped from the Smith’s and Groves but he won 3 times in 2013 and beat respected prospect Dyah Davis at the back end of the year. 

2014

At 17-1 (11) it was time to step up and he made the best decision in his entire career in joining Eddie Hearn and Matchroom. They are the only promoters in the UK that could deliver so much in such a short space of time. As long as James did his part and that he did producing his best year since 2008 winning three high quality fights all by stoppage. He stopped the undefeated Dutchman Gevorg Khatchikian in March and only two months later had an IBF eliminator fight on the undercard of Froch-Groves at Wembley. This time it was highly rated American Brandon Gonzalez and DeGale destroyed him in 4 rounds. Next up was former World title challenger and durable Marco Antonio Periban. He did it quicker this time in 3 rounds. 

IBF

After Froch vacated his title DeGale as #1 contender was primedto fight for it. Unfortunately #2 was Andre Dirrell probably the next best boxer in the division to Ward and Froch. It was never going to be easy but after 12 tough rounds James DeGale reached his goal to become the first British Olympic Gold Medalist to win a world title. 



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