DeGale is fighting for his future but also his boxinglegacy

JAMES DeGALE is fighting not only for his future against Caleb Truax in the early hours tomorrow but also his legacy.

DeGale says he will retire if he loses in Vegas. Though that could be a measure of his confidence, he won’t have any choice. This really is all or nothing for him.

He says he came back too soon after shoulder surgery last time and is ready to take back his IBF super middleweight crown.

I hope he is right. If he isn’t then it changes the way people will remember him. That’s the horrible thing. Lose and it tarnishes everything, including the gold medal he won in Beijing.

DeGale was the first British fighter to turn Olympic gold into a world title as a pro. He won his title on American soil. Those were great achievements, earning him the reputation he is fighting to protect now.

At his best DeGale would box the ears off Truax. Maybe he underestimated his opponent the first time. Maybe he overestimated his ability to compete at the highest level at 32. I need to be convinced that DeGale is the fighter he once was. He is a huge specimen for 12st. Perhaps he is struggling at the weight. Perhaps he is a little past his peak. If so, that would explain his current plight. We will know soon enough. Truax (left) was the only one who believed he could come to England and win. And listening to him in Vegas, I believe him when he says he is not about to throw all that away now. There is huge pressure on both fighters. DeGale has to get back to his sharp boxing best behind that snappy jab and not allow himself to be backed up against the ropes the way he was in London. If he can implement those tactics and keep the fight in the centre of the ring then he can win easily. However, if he allows Truax to crowd him again and bully him to the ropes then he is facing the same outcome as last time.

The incentive is there for DeGale. A win brings George Groves back into the equation in a huge unification fight, or even Badou Jack at light heavyweight.

But lose, and it’s all over for him.