It has been a long seven years since a 22 year old James DeGale become a Gold medal winner at 2008's Beijing Olympics. A year after his Gold medal win he was honoured in 2009 with an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours. Fast forward to the present day and it's four days now until DeGale attempts to write his name into British boxing history. He will face Andre Dirrell of the USA and he will be hoping to become the first ever British Olympic Gold medalist to go on to win a professional world title in boxing. 

As you would expect from DeGale, the Londoner whole heartedly believes this is his moment, speaking to SkySports; "It’s a chance that I can’t let slip; I’m too good. People aren’t going to give me the opportunities again because I’m too good. No one is going to fight me for a voluntary defence so I’ve got to take this chance."  The chance is far too good to turn down, especially, when it has rather ironically come about due to Carl Froch vacating the belt - specifically, to let younger British boxers have a go at getting some titles.  

The only blip in his professional career was his loss against George Groves back in 2011. He has impressed in his 10 bouts since that loss and he has won by way of KO six times, three unanimous decisions and one majority decision. Going to America to win the vacant IBF World Super-Middleweight title, against a tough opponent, will also gain the Londoner some more respect from British boxing fans and it is something which will - for now at least - rectify that loss to Groves. DeGale has made no secret that it is something that has spurred him on to become bigger and better and that taste of failure seems to have really spurred him on. If he does indeed beat Dirrell on the 23rd, he may well owe some of his mental preparation to the man who beat him four years ago.   

James DeGale is absolutely adamant on what the outcome will be though, stating bluntly to SkySports; "History is going to be made, I’m telling you. I’ve trained too hard, I’ve come too far in my career."  British boxing fans will certainly be hoping that DeGale can follow through on the night, bringing back the World title and making history in the process.

 

 

 

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Stuart Plant
London based sports writer. Recent English Lit + Creative Writing graduate. I love my Boxing, football (West Ham United) and international Rugby.