By Scott Gilfoid: The talented James DeGale (10-1, 8 KO’s) could be within one fight of getting a world title shot if he can get by European Boxing Union (EBU) super middleweight champion Piotr Wilczewski (29-1, 10 KO’s) on September 17th in their upcoming fight in England. After getting jobbed out of a winning a decision in his last fight against George Groves, it’s hard to believe that the 24-year-old DeGale is alr eady back and within grasp of a world title shot.

This is where DeGale should be, as he deserved to get the decision against the spoiling Groves last May. Two of the judges decided to reward Groves for his running and non-fighting and gave him the decision. I had DeGale winning by a comfortable margin, but the win showed that DeGale needed to work on his game for runners. Believe me, DeGale won’t make that same mistake again.

Thankfully, Wilczewski isn’t known as a runner, and I don’t expect him to adopt the Adam Booth/ Groves strategy of fleeing the battle front for safe ground on September 17th. Wilczewski will stay and fight and take his beating like a man, and there won’t be a huge pro-Wilczewski crowd to cheer him on and help influence the judges by cheering for rare punches landed like in the Groves fight.

DeGale will need to go after Wilczewski and fire off hard shots. DeGale can’t fight at the same leisurely pace that he did in the first four rounds against Groves and the way he fought Paul Smith if he wants to get the win. DeGale has to get used to putting his foot on the accelerator and going after these guys. He can’t have mercy for the less talented opponents he’s facing. It’s not his fault that other fighters don’t have his skills. But he can’t have mercy on them by taking it easy anymore.