SINCE signing with influential American advisor, Al Haymon, IBF super-middleweight champion, James DeGale, 22-1 (14), has seen his star soar rise in North America. Following last November’s highly entertaining unanimous points decision over Lucien Bute in Montreal, and his title winning effort over Andre Dirrell in Boston, last May, “Chunky” is on a roll. Olly Campbell looks at 5 fights for the southpaw stylist’s team to consider.
5. Chris Eubank Jr, 21-1 (16)
Like his father before him, the young Brighton contender isn’t short on confidence or innate talent, and has stated in the past that he would happily move up to 168 lbs for a high profile fight before a return to middleweight, where he states his current focus remains. Scheduled to challenge British middleweight champion, Nick Blackwell next month, the heavy handed Eubank has previously held an interim WBA title, his sole blemish at the hands of (now) world middleweight champion, Billy Joe Saunders, a fight in which his inexperience arguably cost him. While some remain convinced he still isn’t ready for the jump to bona fide world level, there exists a school of thought that says ‘there is only one way to find out’. In that regard, a clash with DeGale later in the year could prove the perfect ‘acid test’.
4. Martin Murray, 32-3-1 (15)
The St. Helen’s road warrior has now failed to claim a world title in four separate trips abroad, the last time being November’s split decision loss to veteran champion Arthur Abraham in Germany, and there is arguably no more deserving fighter of a world title opportunity on British soil. The Oliver Harrison trained Murray is extremely durable, mixes up his shots well to head and body, and poses a live danger to any active fighter at 168lbs, where he claims, weight-wise, to feel most comfortable. With the champion building his profile abroad recently, British fans are clamouring to have him back home, and a defence of his IBF title against the 33-year-old Murray on UK soil would be a mouth-watering prospect to many.
3. George Groves, 22-3 (17)
The chances of him securing another fight with his arch-nemesis aside, the “Saint” certainly still believes he has DeGale’s number whatever happens. Both men have come a long way, in perhaps different directions, since Groves’ razor thin majority decision win over his bitter rival almost five years ago, the highs and lows of both fighters since well documented. With Groves claiming to feel rejuvenated under new trainer Shane McGuigan, it’s a fight that sells naturally to the public, especially given the history between the pair and the natural grudge. Last seen beating Andrea Di Luisa in five rounds last month, Groves arguably needs more time to work and gel with McGuigan and develop new tricks, yet after that time it’s entirely possible the pendulum could swing back in his favour should a second fight with DeGale ever materialise.
2. Badou Jack, 20-1-1 (12)
The Mayweather promoted WBC super-middleweight champion represents an ideal fight for DeGale in terms of beginning in his quest to unify titles. Jack was perhaps underestimated by some going into his title defence against DeGale nemesis George Groves last September, given he had shown defensive vulnerabilities in getting floored and stopped inside a round by American fringe contender Derek Edwards. Yet he showed that knockout really was just the result a costly mistake and after flooring Groves early en-route to winning a points decision, he also proved to many that his title-winning upset victory over Anthony Dirrell earlier last year was no fluke either. With his tight guard, effective jab, deceptive power and a great 2015 behind him, Jack would pose a stern unification test for the former gold medal winning Olympian this year.
1. Gennady Golovkin, 34-0 (31)
The quest for a career-defining fight for the destructive Kazakh champion seemingly continues, be that at 160lbs or above, with him having now signed to face unheralded mandatory challenger Dominic Wade on April 23 in California. For varying reasons in the past, super-fights against the likes of Carl Froch or Andre Ward haven’t come to fruition, and as ‘GGG’ plans for a clash with WBC middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez later this year, perhaps his inclusion here seems odd. Yet, given said prior disappointments, it may be foolish to hang one’s hat solely on that Alvarez fight happening in 2016 and in that regard DeGale, who has expressed a desire to fight and beat the best, is a sound choice. He could perhaps exploit some of the perceived weaknesses that fellow tricky southpaw Willie Monroe did when tagging Golovkin frequently when they met last last year. While Monroe hadn’t the power to hurt Golovkin, DeGale arguably has and coupled with the considerable size and reach advantage he would enjoy, fans could finally get to see the ruthless, Abel Sanchez-trained technician dragged into deep water for the very first time should they meet. Stranger things have happened.
