JAMES DEGALE VS ANDRE DIRRELL PREVIEW
Tonight one man will be crowned World Champion for the very first time in their always promising career. James DeGale 20-1 (14 KO's) faces off against Andre Dirrell 24-1 (16 KO's) in what is, on paper, about as close to a 50/50 fight as your going to see. They will lock horns in Boston, Massachusetts for the vacant IBF title recently vacated by Carl Froch, who says a fight with either of these slick southpaw's was not attractive enough at his age and at this point in his career. Basically, they represent too much of a threat to Froch losing for him to fight as he looks to cash out on his great career.
It was Athens 2004 when Andre Dirrell was awarded the bronze medal after a solid amateur career that saw him pick up wins over the likes of Yordanis Despaigne of Cuba and of course Gennady Golovkin. During the Olympics he oupointed a Chinese boxer, stopped an Algerian in 2 rounds and pipped the fancied Despaigne by a single point. Dirrell had built up serious momentum and was through to the semi finals. The man standing in his way of an Olympic final was a certain Gennady Golovkin, who beat Dirrell on points. It was not the tournament he had dreamed of but he still managed to get a medal for the USA, no shame in that.
Dirrell started his Professional career in 2005, amazing fans with his atheticism and supreme boxing ability. He was soon marked down as one of boxing's best prospects. He easily defeated everyone that was put in front of him before getting the chance of a lifetime to fight in the Super Six. He was unbeaten and seen as untested as a pro, along with his fellow US 2004 Olympian Andre Ward. The other fighters were proven world class fighters such as Carl Froch, Arthur Abraham, Jermain Taylor and Mikkel Kessler. Dirrel met Froch in his first fight and travelled to Nottingham, Froch's home town to challenge for his first world title. Dirrell frustrated Froch as 'The Cobra' struggled to land a clean punch on Dirrell who appeared to be clearly out boxing Froch. His elusive style and fast hands represented a problem Froch could not get to grips with. In my eyes, and the eyes of many Froch was beaten by a lopsided decision. The fight caused huge controversy after Froch was awarded a split decision. Dirrell deserved the win and should be undefeated as of now. In his next fight he was again schooling Arthur Abraham and comfortably ahead on the scorecards before in the 11th round Dirrell slipped in one of the corners which caused him to fall over. Abraham struck Dirrell with blow to the chin, and Dirrell was left unconscious and in some state afterwards. He was awarded the win via DQ. Since then he has faced legal trouble that has seen him out of the ring for some time, he has now returned under 50 cent's guidence.
James Degale became a house hold name in the UK when he brought home the only Gold for Great Britain at the Beijing Olympics. DeGale was an 80-1 shot and was not fancied what so ever to claim any medal never mind the gold. He had drawn a tough route which made things that much tougher for 'Chunky'. He went on to defeat the Egyptian, American & Kazakh fighters to reach the Semi finals. He was faced with Irish nemessis Darren Sutherland who had defeated DeGale a number of times over the years. DeGale outclassed Sutherland to emerge to the final where he was faced with the fearsome Cuban, Emilio Correa. He fought the fight of his life and captured the Gold. He was given a big signing fee to go pro. There was however a burden hanging over him, no British fighter to win Olympic Gold had ever gone on to claim a professional World Title.
DeGale easily beat his early opponents and in just his ninth fight he challenged the experienced Paul Smith who was 29-1 going in to the fight but was embarressed before being stopped in the ninth round. He fought George Groves in his eleventh fight in what was a grudge match that was PPV in the UK. Groves beat DeGale in a razor tight split decision that was filled with controversy as a lot of people had DeGale doing enough to win. Since then he went on to win the European title but was fighting some what in the shadows. DeGale was a fighter blessed with talent who was going under the radar after a series of promotional issues. He signed with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Sport and has again got himself back in the public eye. He destroyed the unbeaten American Brandon Gonzales in four rounds in front of a sold out Wembley Stadium. He has won his last three fights to show he has developed power to go with his impressive skills.
Both fighter's have come a similiar route, both could still be undefeated after losing disputed decisions. Both are stand out amateurs who have in the eyes of many, myself included, outclassed everyone in their professional paths. They are slick southpaw's that have the skills to match any one in the sport. I somehow feel this fight is not recieving the attention and respect it deserves. It is pitting two supreme fighters in their prime. Two of the best Super Middleweights in the world. USA vs UK. Olympic Medalist vs Olympic Medalist.
I see this fight as a purists dream. Which of these master boxer's will impose on the other. There hasn't been such a fascinating contest by two fighters in their prime in a long time. It is going to be a chess match and I see it going the distance in a gripping contest. Both men will win rounds and it will be tight to the end. I just feel DeGale, who has not yet fought for a world title, who has the matter of making history to motivate himself, will prove too hungry for Dirrell. I think DeGale will outwork Dirrell and will be more agressive than his American opponent. This is just my veiw though, what is yours?
