STILL STANDING
The recuperating Degale will be waiting for the WBSS winner, writes Chris Walker
James Degale, the IBF champion, is ready to return to super-middle mix
WITH the inaugural World Boxing Super Series gaining momentum each passing week, the world’s premier super-middleweight has been watching the action unfold with a hint of regret. IBF champion James Degale, recovering from shoulder surgery and inactive since January’s thrilling draw with Sweden’s Badou Jack, admits the concept appealed to him and insists taking part in the tournament would have been a priority if he was afforded the opportunity to enter.
“Of course it was something I wanted to be a part of,” the Londoner told Boxing News. “What is it? You fight three times in the space of nine or 10 months and you’re getting paid good amounts of money for doing so. What fighter wouldn’t want to be part of something like that? It’s a big chance for the winner to make a lot of money and get the WBA world title that [George] Groves has got. But when the whole thing is finished then the big fight for the winner afterwards is against me.”
The injury sustained by “Chunky” first became a nuisance during his bout with Lucian Bute [w pts 12] two years ago but Degale thought it was just the result of a gruelling camp under the tutelage of long time trainer, Jim Mcdonnell. But when it failed to ease, it became obvious that the matter was far worse than originally feared.
“Against Bute it was there but it just felt like it was only something small that wouldn’t hold me back but then it felt a little worse against [Rogelio] Medina and then against Jack I saying ‘Oh my God, what is happening to me?’ because it was hurting me with every single shot I was throwing. Every time I threw the hook it was just agony and I do feel like I was at a disadvantage in that fight became I know I didn’t have the full use of both my arms because of my shoulder.
“Even with what I was going through, I was prepared to face Callum Smith in July but he went for the WBC title against [Anthony] Dirrell and when that did not come off he went in the World Series. Looking back, Callum going that route was probably the best thing for me because he is not the type of fighter that you want to be going in against if you are not 100 per cent.”
Now back in the gym slowly enduring basic pad work, Degale is plotting further challenges that will enable him to add to his current body of work which has seen him enjoy a successful run on North American soil since capturing the IBF crown against Andre Dirrell back in 2015. Degale’s last fight in Britain was a destructive display opposing Marco Antonio Periban the year before becoming champion, and a homecoming in December is certainly a possibility.
“I want to fight before the year is out, so hopefully that can be arranged but my promotional situation is still a little unclear so that’s something I may need to look at first. I’ll be sitting down and speaking with Al Haymon about what my next move is and where my next fight is going to be, but getting back to the UK and having a fight here is certainly something that I’d like, but America has also been good to me. I won my world title there and the fights I’ve been involved in over there have really been something else, especially the Dirrell and Jack fights.”
With the 12st landscape set to become clearer thanks to the WBSS victor joining Degale and Mexico’s WBO boss Gilberto Ramirez as the standout operators, 2018 could be a huge year for the division. “Believe me when I tell you this, next year is going to be my year. 2017 was meant to be my time with the Jack fight kicking things off but injury means I’m putting things on hold but I’m going to be so much better when I return.
“Whoever wins that World Series is who I want to fight next summer so hopefully that tournament will be all over by then, and me and the winner can take part in big fight. It’s going to be Groves or Smith for me, so let’s see what happens next year but for now I just want to get back in the ring.”
‘THE BIG FIGHT IS ME AGAINST THE WINNER’