James Degale exclusive I will be finished if I lose to Eubank, admits fighter
James Degale is in the latter stages of his career but still aims to put on a masterclass on Saturday
‘I would have liked to get my revenge on Groves. But my career does not revolve around him’
James Degale watched his greatest rival George Groves retire two weeks ago and now says he will follow suit if he loses to Chris Eubank Jnr in a supermiddleweight grudge match on Saturday. “A lot of people are asking why I’m talking about retirement, but I’m one of those fighters that will know when to knock it on the head,” explained Degale, long, lean and relaxed on a sofa in his lounge at home after another gruelling gym session that took him from the gritty streets of Harlesden to home in suburban St Albans.
“I’m not going to be one of these fighters that will stay in boxing far too long and starts to tarnish his legacy. If I lose, where else would I go? I’ve just lost to Chris Eubank Jnr. When he loses, he’s going to find it difficult to come back. I’ve done everything in this sport. I’ve left my mark in boxing. I’m a history man: British, Olympic, two-time world champion. To box on wouldn’t make any sense.”
Degale, now 33, and Groves boxed together in a tiny, converted chapel of rest in Notting Hill, West London, in the days of wearing shorts to school. But they never liked each other; they say they never will. Groves won a razortight, controversial decision over Degale in 2011, and in parallel careers, they have had several opponents in common.
On Saturday night, that timeline criss-crosses once more, when Degale meets Eubank, the son of one of Britain’s most loved and loathed fighters, at the O2 Arena, Docklands.
It was Groves who defeated Eubank (left) over 12 rounds last February, but dislocated a shoulder, and went on to lose seven months later to Callum Smith – now ranked the world’s No1 12-stone fighter – after surgery and rehabilitation. Groves retired a fortnight ago.
“Best of luck to him,” said Degale. “I would have liked to get my revenge, but he’s been pro for over 10 years now. He achieved his dream of becoming a world champion – eventually – at the fourth attempt. He’s made a bit of money. I don’t need George Groves, my career does not revolve around George Groves.”
Degale insisted that his fight with Eubank “ain’t for a pay day”. He added: “I’m still hungry. Obviously I’m getting older. I can’t do what I was doing at 22. No 10-mile runs or 40 rounds of sparring a week. I’m training smarter now and honestly I feel great. I can honestly say that. Boxers say that when they’re preparing for a fight, but I can honestly say I’m feeling fantastic. And I intend to put on a boxing masterclass.”
Degale acknowledges that Eubank is very tough, yet says he lacks the skills of the sweet science. Little doubt that Eubank is far behind the southpaw skills that have taken Degale from the Beijing Games to world-title glory. But physically, Eubank’s tenacity will test anyone. “If I’m shot, I’ll get found out. If I am not the best or on a decline, I’ll get found out,” admitted Degale.
But Degale does see the dangers of going on too long. “The thing about boxing is that it’s the hardest profession. It’s the mental side. It don’t just affect you, it affects your team and your family. It’s the hardest sport in the world and sometimes it is unforgiving. That’s why you’ve got to know the right time to call it a day.”
Degale cannot help feeling that Brighton fighter Eubank – who has taken a trainer for the first time in his career after 29 fights – is “deluded”.
“Eubank’s shown in his ITV documentary that him and his coach are very deluded people. As I say, he is a tough figure. He’s a bit like his dad, he don’t mind being hit or when it gets hard. ITV are promoting this fight very well. I’ve done a lot of promotion with Eubank.” As he spoke he placed his cup of tea dead centre on a coaster in the middle of a glistening glass table.
“Security was there for the sit-down. He’s just a very weird, over-the-top person. I don’t know
if it’s an act or if he’s really like that. This guy said he was technically better than me, a better boxer than me, he’s tougher, stronger – but then to kill it off he said he was better looking than me. The guy is deluded.”
Degale laughs long and loud, admitting that when it comes to detail he is “OCD”. In fairness, there is not a carpet hair out of place in his four-bedroom home. “This is about bragging rights I’d say, because I don’t think Eubank will be able to be world champion or even compete at that kind of level, if I’m being honest. But there are bragging rights, here. He’s called me out for a long, long time. There’s history there. It’s a big fight, it is.”
Degale, who has had five world-title fights in North America, also sees heavyweight Anthony Joshua’s move to fight there coming at the right time, but could not help offering his admiration for Tyson Fury.
“Joshua needs to go to America now. It’s brilliant exposure and Jarrell Miller at Madison Square Garden is the perfect fight for him. They’ll like him. He’s tasty.
“But Fury’s personality, his story, his style – I love. I think Fury is going to be so hard to beat. I think he’s the man of the division. I promise you. His mindset now and the way he trains, he looked unbelievable. How easy was it against [Deontay] Wilder? He won every round against Wilder apart from the rounds he got dropped. Easy. I just think he’s going to be hard to beat at heavyweight. The way he moves, the speed, the length, the confidence – he knows he’s difficult to hit. I just like him. I’m a Joshua fan as well, but I think Fury wins. I honestly do.
“The way Fury dealt with Wilder was crazy. He wasn’t running, he just boxed. Then I think Joshua will knock Wilder out. I think the two main men are Fury and Joshua, but with boxing politics and different TV channels, will it happen? That’s the biggest fight in the world now.”
In a flash, Degale is up, and shadow boxing, pushing out a jab and pinging a hook out into the ether. “Eubank said he is training hard and has brought it in a new coach, but we haven’t got long to wait now. A lot of questions are hanging over this fight. What’s JD got left? That’s the main one. But the support I’m getting is unbelievable.
“There’s always going to be a villain and a hero. And for once I am the hero. And I’m going to silence Eubank.”