DeGale says he’s too fast and too skilled for Bute
Once, in another life, professional boxer James DeGale tried his hand at plumbing in his native London. Between arising at 5:30 a.m., travelling to the other end of the city, then returning home to train, he quickly discovered the work was hard and painstaking, with little reward.
Not to mention having to stick his head around a toilet all day or working on his back under a sink. He lasted less than year.
“I didn’t need it. That (job) was rubbish. I’m good at what I love and (am) doing (it) well,” said the personable Brit. “Boxing’s all I’ve known and done. I left plumbing because boxing took over. This is how I earn my money and how I live.” And he has flourished at both. Now the careers of his opponents seemingly end up down the toilet. DeGale became the first boxer to stop Mexican Marco Antonio Periban last November. American Brandon Gonzales hasn’t fought since being stopped by DeGale in May 2014 in their International Boxing Federation super-middleweight title eliminator — Gonzales suffering the first defeat of his career.
Six months ago, DeGale captured the vacant IBF 168-pound title against Andre Dirrell, the American’s only previous loss coming against Carl Froch. And on Saturday night at the Centre Vidéotron, DeGale plans on ending the career of Montreal’s Lucian Bute in his first title defence. Bute held the same title for five years, until he was pummelled by Froch more than three years ago.
DeGale earned a reported US$1 million against Dirrell. He expects to double that purse against Bute.
“I watched him against Carl Froch ... I watched him against Librado Andrade. There’s something missing. He folds a little bit when he gets hit,” said the 29-year-old DeGale, 21-1 with 14 knockouts. “Lucian Bute’s very good in the centre of the ring — boxing, jabbing, moving at his own pace.
“Froch exposed him, just exposed his weaknesses. That’s all. I think I’ll finish the job, especially just looking into his eyes. I think I’ll finish the job, 100 per cent.”
DeGale was raised in the northwest section of London, known for its tough and rough neighbourhood. He wasn’t a bad kid necessarily, more precocious and mischievous, he admitted. He was expelled twice before dropping out of high school. He admitted to smoking pot as a teenager, hanging around with kids who were looking for trouble.
Boxing proved to be his salvation, DeGale walking into an amateur gym at age 10. His father figured lacing on the gloves might relieve the youngster of some of his rebelliousness.
“I remember walking into the gym and smelling the leather on the bags and the smell of the gloves,” he said. "I remember sparring at age 10, but not knowing what I was doing. I just loved it, the people I met. It’s the best sport in the world.
“If not for boxing, I’d probably be in prison. I know that’s a cliché but, I swear to God, I’d probably be in prison.”
For what transgression? “Something stupid,” he stated. “I love money. I love a pound note.”
He went 79-16 as an amateur, capping his career with a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The predominantly southpaw fighter desperately wanted to remain amateur until 2012, in London, but a multi-million dollar contract offer from British promoter Frank Warren proved too tantalizing. DeGale turned pro in February 2009, a month after being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
He captured the British title in only his ninth bout, losing it 17 months later in his first defence, a close majority decision against George Groves. That was 11 fights ago. DeGale hasn’t lost since.
“This guy’s just different,” said his trainer, Jim McDonnell. “He has an amazing mentality. His psychological strength’s amazing. He has the fastest hands I’ve seen in boxing since Sugar
This kid will be a superstar. I have a feeling this is going to be a careerbest performance, based on what he has been doing in the gym.
Ray Leonard. He’s very dedicated and trains like a beast; I have to make him rest. He’s just the full package. And he’s a wonderful human being who does some amazing things not for publicity.
“This guy’s a beast over 12 rounds. Thirty-six minutes for him’s nothing. This kid will be a superstar. I have a feeling this is going to be a career-best performance, based on what he has been doing in the gym. He’s powerful. Don’t blink — trust me.”
DeGale is the first Englishman to win both Olympic gold and a world title. Six years younger than the veteran Bute, DeGale believes he’s too young, too fast and too skilled to be upset by the challenger. He’s a versatile boxer who uses speed and footwork to flourish. And while DeGale could have made his first defence at home, against an easier opponent, the lure of a rich payday proved too enticing.
He proved, against Dirrell, he has no problem venturing from his comfort zone. And he vowed winning the title has only served to make him more determined, DeGale continuing to do his roadwork at the crack of dawn, thriving on the discipline that eluded him as a youth.
“His whole DNA has changed as champion,” McDonnell claimed. “When you win a world title, you automatically become a better fighter.”