By Terence Dooley
London’s James “Chunky” DeGale (21-1, 14 early) is still basking in the afterglow of his decision win over Anthony Dirrell in Boston last month. The former Olympic Gold Medallist and current IBF Super middleweight champion made history by becoming the first British boxer to add a world title to amateur gold and has revealed that he is finally starting to get some love from the British public.
“I've waited as a fighter and as a person for this chance and I think it has shown people you mature and become a better person,” he said when speaking to the Metro about life as a world titlist.
“I'm 29 now—I've got s*** to pay for. I used to think ‘I don't give a f*** if they don't like me’ but I have been overwhelmed by the support I've had since I've been home.'”
DeGale was labelled as arrogant by some following the 2008 Olympic Games. His image also took a battering during the bitter build-up to his May 2011 fight against bitter local rival George Groves, a majority decision loss at London's O2 Arena, but the former British and European title-holder has always been approachable and friendly when out and about at boxing shows—this side of his personality has started to come to the fore in the past few years.
Indeed, DeGale has stressed that he wants the public to tell him who they would like to see him in with next, with former titlist Carl Froch and George Groves two of the names in the frame when talk turned to his future.
He said: “I want to fight who the public want me to fight. Me and Groves is difficult—there's real history there—but I don't need him now. We'll see. Can Carl Froch come and beat up the cocky, flash Londoner? People want to see if he still has it.”
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