MCGUIGAN Chris ready to solve the big puzzles

A FASCINATING contest comes down to two big questions; Does James Degale have enough of his best stuff left? Has Chris Eubank Jnr got the ability to fight on the front foot, to apply pressure intelligently?

If Degale has come to the end of the road, the Eubank question is less pressing. Though he had Badou Jack over in the first round Degale has always been a volume puncher, yet in the first fight against Caleb Truax he came apart.

Once that happens fighters can never really be what they were. It’s like rolling out a new carpet, you can never quite roll it back as it was in the wrapper.

It’s the same with the body, especially in boxing when you are relying on splitsecond timing and keeping your form under pressure.

There is also the question of Degale’s shoulder injury, which might explain why he couldn’t let his punches go in that first meeting after the surgery against Truax.

The shoulder is such a complex joint that needs a long time to heal. The problem for professional boxers is they cannot afford the time required to let it fully recover.

In all my experience a fighter has never been the same again after a serious shoulder injury.

Eubank is still learning how to be an aggressive front-foot fighter. It takes time and detail. You have to work at it.

I was that fighter. It is as much about instinct as craft. If you don’t think that way it does not come easily. If you get impatient it is never going to happen.

Eubank Jnr has not developed that part of his game. He is great if you walk on to him, but if you stand off, jab, feint and frustrate him he struggles.

Eubank Jnr has lost only twice to Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves, who both boxed cleverly and aggressively off the jab and ultimately he couldn’t cope.

On the positive side Eubank Jnr is game, quick, has a great engine and his father’s granite chin, which will be enough if Degale is in terminal decline.

I would take a peak Degale to win but I believe Eubank Jnr has this.

He might have to come from behind to force a points win with pressure and pace.

Equally it would not surprise me if he overwhelmed Degale and stopped him in the championship rounds.